LeoLabs Secures $1.2 Million AFWERX Contract for Advanced Radar Development

LeoLabs, a leading provider of radar tracking services, has announced a project under a $1.245 million AFWERX contract; the contract will fund the development of a new S-band 2-D Direct Radiating Array, designed to enhance tracking capabilities for rocket launches and spacecraft in very low Earth orbit (VLEO).

Innovative Radar Technology

Unlike LeoLabs' existing S-band radars, which are shaped like snowboard halfpipes, and flat UHF radars in Texas and Alaska, the new Direct Radiating Array is flat and square. This advanced radar system will boast "hundreds to thousands of antennas," significantly more than the couple of hundred antennas featured in their older models.

LeoLabs has been independently investing in the development of Direct Radiating Arrays before securing the AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract.

“It’s nice to have the SBIR support because it helps us get the technology to TRL 9. It also gets us engaged with end users in the Space Force so they can start thinking about how it applies to their missions.” - Dan Ceperley, LeoLabs Founder and Chief Operating Officer

The first Direct Radiating Array is expected to become operational by mid-2025, although LeoLabs has not yet disclosed its location.

Expanding Radar Capabilities

The introduction of the Direct Radiating Array represents a significant expansion of LeoLabs' radar catalog.

“This goes into our catalog of radar types...We now have multiple radar types we can deploy. We expect this new radar technology to be a big part of the radar network going forward.” - Dan Ceperley, LeoLabs Founder and Chief Operating Officer

The modular nature of the Direct Radiating Array allows for scalability, enabling the creation of both smaller, more numerous radar sites and larger, more powerful arrays for tracking in medium-Earth or geosynchronous orbits.

Challenges in VLEO Tracking

Tracking spacecraft in VLEO presents unique challenges due to the dynamic nature of their orbits, influenced by varying levels of atmospheric drag and frequent thruster use.

"You want to check in every hour or even less than an hour if you can to maintain track on them.” - Dan Ceperley, LeoLabs Founder and Chief Operating Officer

Commercial and Military Integration

LeoLabs’ innovation lies in integrating commercial technology into their radar systems to meet commercial timescales and price points. This integration enables rapid construction and deployment of the Direct Radiating Arrays.

“Direct Radiating Arrays could be constructed in a month. You can have containers ready to ship these out very quickly.” - Dan Ceperley, LeoLabs Founder and Chief Operating Officer

“As the number of adversarial satellites in space dramatically increases year over year, we are committed to supporting the U.S. Department of Defense’s efforts to enhance tracking of non-cooperative launches, smaller orbital debris, and objects in” VLEO. - Tony Frazier, LeoLabs CEO

LeoLabs' new radar initiative marks a significant advancement in space surveillance technology.