Danger in orbit Tracking app detects space debris and locates satellites

Satellites play an important role in a globalized world. However, more satellites also mean more space debris. A special app visualizes satellites and debris in orbit. Satellites and debris are visualized in real time.

Satellites play an increasingly important role in our lives. They enable communication, location services, climate monitoring, and many other services that have become indispensable to our society. However, the increasing number of satellites in orbit also leads to a problem: space debris. This debris consists of defunct satellites, rocket parts, and other objects orbiting in space. The ESA states that there are around 36,500 large objects larger than 10 cm in Earth's orbit. Such objects can be observed with the naked eye or a telescope.

The future of space is among the topics discussed at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin. It's considered the world's largest technology and creativity festival.

In a lecture titled "How the Tech That Tracks Space Junk Will Save Life on Earth," space activist Dr. Moriba Jah and Sudhir Hasbe from Neo4j talked about the increasing pollution of Earth's orbit. The danger of space debris is becoming more real, as demonstrated by the recent plummet of a discarded battery set from the ISS. With the growing dependency on satellites and the associated services for communication, location, and climate monitoring, space pollution is increasing.

More debris from space tourism

Dr. Moriba Jah, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Austin: “In 1957, we sent the first satellite, Sputnik, into orbit. Today, we record more than 50,000 objects of varying sizes orbiting the Earth. 5,000 of those are actually still functioning satellites. Elon Musk sends additional systems into space almost every week.”

The privatization of space, as seen with companies like Starlink and Project Kuiper, as well as the trend of space tourism, exacerbate the space congestion issue in orbit. Collisions could become more frequent, as happened last summer when the International Space Station (ISS) had to maneuver to avoid objects twice in one month.

Moriba Jah has intensively dealt with the problem of space debris and is a co-founder and Chief Scientist of the space startup Privateer. Their tracking app called Wayfinder aims to locate satellites in orbit and calculate possible collisions. The goal of Privateer is to be an AI-powered information platform in space that collects data on the traffic situation in orbit and makes it available to satellite operators.

Prominent supporters of Privateer include Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and tech pioneer Alex Fielding. The company plans to deploy satellites for tracking space debris named Pono. Wayfinder visualizes satellites and debris in orbit and aims to enhance the safety of space services and facilitate cleanup efforts. Dr. Moriba Jah described Wayfinder as a kind of "Google Maps" for space, enabling the tracking of satellites and debris in orbit to avoid potential collisions.

The technology behind Wayfinder

Sudhir Hasbe, Chief Product Officer at Neo4j, took a look at the technology behind Wayfinder at the SXSW panel. This tracking solution uses the Neo4j graph database to visualize satellites and debris in Earth's orbit in near real-time. The data model allows for the calculation of trajectories, prediction of collisions, and identification of space polluters.

"The world is connected. However, our data usually resides in silos. Everyone has a plethora of data. But if you can't merge and link all this information, it is difficult to tackle such significant problems as space pollution together," says Sudhir Hasbe.

Mapping and analyzing complex and interconnected data

Graph databases like Neo4j specialize in mapping and analyzing complex and highly interconnected data. Realistic visualization allows for easy and intuitive access to information. However, in terms of information exchange and open access, the space industry is still in its infancy. Currently, only governments and private companies have access to comprehensive satellite and space data.

Sustainability is another important issue in space. Many satellite and rocket parts are single-use, so it is critical to find solutions for recycling and disposal. Additionally, satellite operators must comply with legal requirements. Last October, the U.S. authority FCC imposed a fine for the first time on an operator who failed to remove a defunct satellite from orbit.