Keeping track of satellites requires space situational awareness (SSA). But how does one acquire this information, and how subjective is the data that we receive? Sean Goldsborough, Business Leader at Raytheon NORSS, talks to us about the art of satellite tracking. We discuss the difference between SSA and space domain awareness (there is a distinction!), how the technology underlies military applications, and how the data available could potentially be used for nefarious purposes – for example, by disguising the real nature of objects in space.

Keeping track of satellites requires space situational awareness (SSA). But how does one acquire this information, and how subjective is the data that we receive? Sean Goldsborough, Business Leader at Raytheon NORSS, talks to us about the art of satellite tracking. We discuss the difference between SSA and space domain awareness (there is a distinction!), how the technology underlies military applications, and how the data available could potentially be used for nefarious purposes – for example, by disguising the real nature of objects in space.

Episode 42: Eyes in Orbit: Space Situational Awareness

Space is becoming increasingly congested, contested and competed over. It has never been so easy – or so cheap – to launch a satellite into orbit. With space activity proliferating, its impact on national security has grown too: space assets are becoming vulnerable and space debris is becoming increasingly dangerous. War in Space is a series of interviews with experts in space and defence that will analyse the intersection of space and national security, unravelling the technical jargon that so often accompanies these discussions and explaining why space matters for our everyday lives and security.

The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by RUSI employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of RUSI.

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Space is becoming increasingly congested, contested and competed over. It has never been so easy – or so cheap – to launch a satellite into orbit. With space activity proliferating, its impact on national security has grown too: space assets are becoming vulnerable and space debris is becoming increasingly dangerous. War in Space is a series of interviews with experts in space and defence that will analyse the intersection of space and national security, unravelling the technical jargon that so often accompanies these discussions and explaining why space matters for our everyday lives and security. The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by RUSI employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of RUSI.

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Episode 42: Eyes in Orbit: Space Situational Awareness

Episode 42: Eyes in Orbit: Space Situational Awareness

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