A contract worth A$2.9 million has been awarded to Sydney's Space Machines Company by the Australian Department of Defence. This funding is allocated for the creation of the Space Threat Analysis and Response System (STARS), which aims to enhance space security for Australia and its allies.
Set to span over the next 24 months, the project will transition STARS from a concept to a functional prototype. The system will utilize data from various sources, including ground-based space awareness networks and commercial providers, to monitor and respond to potential threats in low Earth orbit (LEO), where objects can reach speeds of 28,000 kilometers per hour.
According to Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO of Space Machines Company, STARS will provide essential autonomous analysis and decision-making capabilities to improve space domain awareness. The focus will be on safeguarding Australian assets while extending protections to allied systems, aligning with the National Defence Strategy.
Following the prototype's completion, SMC intends to incorporate STARS into its Solstice OS platform, which facilitates command-and-control operations for spacecraft fleets and on-demand orbital services.