The Australian Space Agency has announced an expanded agreement with Canberra-based Electro Optic Systems (EOS) to deploy additional space debris tracking sensors across the country. The move responds to deteriorating conditions in low Earth orbit, where debris from satellite collisions and anti-satellite weapon tests threatens operational spacecraft.

EOS already operates tracking facilities at Mount Stromlo near Canberra and Learmonth in Western Australia. The new agreement adds sites in South Australia and Tasmania, creating a network that can continuously monitor objects in key orbital regions as Earth rotates.

The Debris Problem

More than 36,000 tracked objects larger than 10 centimetres now orbit Earth, along with millions of smaller fragments. Collisions between debris create more fragments in cascading events that worsen the problem. Several near-misses in recent months have prompted satellite operators to perform evasive manoeuvres.

The issue affects everyone operating in space. Communications satellites, Earth observation platforms, and navigation systems all face collision risks. Even the International Space Station periodically adjusts its orbit to avoid debris.

Low Earth orbit is particularly congested. That’s where most commercial satellite constellations operate, because lower altitudes mean shorter signal delays and cheaper launch costs. But it’s also where debris problems are most acute, because objects at those altitudes take decades to naturally decay and re-enter the atmosphere.

Australia’s geographic position and relatively clear skies make it well-suited for optical tracking of space objects. EOS’s laser-ranging systems can track objects in orbit with centimetre-level precision, data that helps satellite operators plan manoeuvres and predict collision risks.

How the Tracking Works

The EOS sensors use pulsed lasers to measure precise distances to satellites and debris. By tracking objects over time, they build detailed orbital models that predict future positions. When predictions suggest a close approach between two objects, operators receive warnings.

The system complements radar-based tracking operated by defence organisations in the United States and Australia. Radar works in all weather conditions but provides less precise orbital data than optical systems. Using both approaches together gives the most complete picture.

Data from Australian tracking stations feeds into international databases maintained by organisations like the U.S. Space Force and the European Space Agency. Sharing data globally is critical because space debris affects everyone. A collision between satellites operated by different countries creates debris that threatens all operators.

Some satellite operators, particularly those running large constellations, maintain their own tracking capabilities. SpaceX and OneWeb both have systems for monitoring their satellites and avoiding collisions. But they still rely on shared data about debris and satellites operated by others.

Australian Space Situational Awareness

Building domestic space tracking capability serves several purposes. It contributes to global space sustainability efforts, supports the growing Australian space industry, and provides strategic capability for defence purposes.

The Australian Defence Force has increasing interest in space situational awareness as military operations depend more on satellite communications, navigation, and reconnaissance. Knowing what’s in orbit and being able to track potential threats is a basic capability requirement.

There’s also a commercial dimension. As more satellites launch, tracking services become more valuable. Companies need accurate orbital data to operate safely and insurers want evidence that operators take collision avoidance seriously. Australian expertise in precision tracking could become an exportable service.

The expanded tracking network will also support research into debris mitigation techniques. Several Australian groups are investigating methods for removing debris or preventing its creation. That work needs good tracking data to identify problem objects and measure whether mitigation efforts succeed.

International Coordination Challenges

While most space-faring nations agree that debris is a problem, coordinating responses remains difficult. There’s no binding international agreement on debris mitigation, only voluntary guidelines. Some countries follow those guidelines more rigorously than others.

Anti-satellite weapon tests create particularly severe debris problems. When India, China, Russia and the United States have conducted such tests, each created thousands of trackable fragments. Many remain in orbit years later, threatening operational satellites.

Recent diplomatic efforts have sought commitments from nations to refrain from debris-creating weapons tests. Australia has been vocal in those discussions, arguing that debris affects space sustainability and threatens the satellite infrastructure that modern economies depend on.

The tracking network expansion puts Australia in a stronger position to contribute data and analysis to those diplomatic efforts. Having independent tracking capability means not relying entirely on data from larger space powers who may have different strategic priorities.

Research Applications

Beyond operational tracking, the expanded network will support research into orbital dynamics, atmospheric physics, and satellite technologies. Precise tracking data helps researchers understand how satellite orbits evolve over time and how atmospheric conditions affect orbital decay.

The ANU’s Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics collaborates with EOS on advanced tracking algorithms that improve detection of small debris objects. Machine learning techniques applied to optical tracking data can identify objects too small or dim for traditional detection methods.

There’s also work on active debris removal concepts. Several international efforts are developing spacecraft designed to capture defunct satellites or debris and either de-orbit them or move them to less congested orbital regions. Australian tracking capabilities could support those missions by precisely locating target objects.

For satellite operators trying to navigate increasingly complex space environments, specialists in data-driven operational planning can help make sense of tracking data and collision risk assessments. As space becomes more congested, operational decision-making becomes more complicated.

What Comes Next

The new tracking sites should be operational by mid-2026, pending site construction and equipment installation. EOS is also developing next-generation sensors with improved sensitivity and tracking speed, funded partly by the Australian Space Agency and partly by commercial contracts.

Longer term, Australia is exploring participation in international space traffic management frameworks. As the number of active satellites continues growing, particularly with mega-constellations of thousands of small satellites, coordinated traffic management becomes essential.

The debris problem won’t be solved by tracking alone. Ultimately, operators need to implement debris mitigation measures: designing satellites to de-orbit at end of life, avoiding orbital regions with high collision risk, and potentially active removal of legacy debris.

But tracking is the foundation. You can’t manage risks you can’t see. Australia’s expanding capability positions the country to contribute meaningfully to global space sustainability while supporting domestic space industry growth. Whether that leads to significant commercial opportunities or remains primarily a public good remains to be seen.