LeoLabs was founded in 2016 by scientists and people closely associated with the space, and is funded by research pioneers – SRI International. The main goal of the company is to observe and secure the low orbit around the Earth.
On April 22 this year, the company announced that two new space radars built in Costa Rica began tracking and providing data on objects. LeoLabs is currently collecting data from 6 radars spread over 4 locations. There are 2 radars both in Costa Rica and New Zealand, which makes it possible to detect and track small objects in low orbit. Initially, LeoLabs radars were able to detect objects as small as 10 centimeters, but having 2 radars in one place makes it possible to track even the smallest objects with a diameter of only 2 centimeters.
“The Costa Rica Space Radar completes our coverage of low Earth orbit”
Dan Ceperley, co-founder and CEO of LeoLabs
For people living on the International Space Station, trash in space is a huge threat, as even the smallest one can reach speeds of up to 30,000 kilometers per hour.
According to Edward Lu, co-founder of LeoLabs and VP of Strategic Projects, tracking rubbish in the orbit is critical to the continued economic development of space.
Thanks to LeoLabs and its highly advanced commercial radars, we will be able to “clean up” the low Earth orbit, and satellite operators, the defense industry and space exploration companies will be able to plan their route so that everyone is safe.
https://technogadzet.pl/nowy-radar-na-kostaryce-zajmie-sie-sledzeniem-orbitalnych-smieci/
https://spacenews.com/leolabs-declares-costa-rica-space-radar-operational/