French space surveillance startup Look Up has partnered with ground station network operator Skynopy to develop an automated collision avoidance service for low Earth orbit, the companies announced June 17. The deal pairs Look Up's orbital tracking algorithms with Skynopy's global antenna infrastructure, aiming to speed up the detection and response to potential satellite close approaches.
Look Up's planned system relies on optical and radar sensors to identify collision risks, while Skynopy provides the telemetry, tracking, and command links needed to transmit avoidance maneuvers. The collaboration is designed to reduce human-in-the-loop delays, enabling faster decision-making as satellite constellations expand.
No timeline for deploying the commercial service has been disclosed, though both firms are based in France and have been developing their respective technologies since 2023. Look Up has previously raised seed funding from French tech investors, while Skynopy operates a network of ground stations across Europe.
The growing density of satellites in low Earth orbit, driven by constellations like Starlink and OneWeb, has heightened demand for automated collision avoidance. Current systems often rely on manual coordination between operators, which can introduce latency during critical moments.
Automated collision avoidance raises questions about liability. If an algorithm commands a satellite to maneuver and a collision still occurs, determining fault becomes more complex than with human-directed decisions. Regulators have not yet established clear frameworks for liability in such automated scenarios.