Slingshot Aerospace Unveils AI System to Monitor Satellite Anomalies

Slingshot Aerospace, a prominent space-tracking and data analytics firm, has developed an advanced artificial intelligence system named Agatha, designed to monitor the behavior of satellites in orbit and identify anomalies within large constellations. This cutting-edge system was developed under a contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

“Agatha represents a major advance in using AI for space domain awareness,” - Audrey Schaffer, Slingshot’s Vice President of Strategy and Policy.

Agatha aims to enhance the tracking and verification of satellite operations, particularly within extensive satellite networks.

Last year, Slingshot showcased its AI capabilities by tracking unusual maneuvers by Russia’s Luch Olymp-K-2 inspector satellite. However, Agatha serves a different purpose; Agatha is optimized to detect anomalous behavior within large satellite constellations, ensuring that satellites are operating as intended.

Agatha was trained on over 60 years of simulated constellation data and has successfully transitioned from simulated data to real-world applications. The system has been able to identify non-threatening anomalous spacecraft within operational commercial satellite networks, and these findings have been validated by the respective satellite operators. Agatha is capable of detecting anomalies such as malfunctioning spacecraft or intentionally nefarious ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ spacecraft. As more companies and national governments deploy large constellations, the importance of verifying that satellites operate within their stated purposes becomes increasingly critical.

Slingshot Aerospace secured the DARPA contract of undisclosed value after responding to a Broad Agency Announcement with a white paper submission. The company also contributed additional resources to the project.

Agatha is now operational within Slingshot’s platform used by customers. The company is currently in discussions with several U.S. government and allied organizations, as well as commercial satellite operators, about integrating Agatha into their advanced space situational awareness services.

“This could be quite a powerful tool for U.S. Space Command to monitor everything happening in space,” - Audrey Schaffer, Slingshot’s Vice President of Strategy and Policy.

The system is designed to flag potential threats by detecting deviations from expected satellite behavior. For example, if a satellite has a different mission or a larger mass than others in the constellation, it might require additional maneuvers to stay in orbit. Outliers can also be identified by their communication patterns.

“It can detect things that we haven’t necessarily defined yet. We don’t tell it what to look for, and it figures it out,” - Dylan Kesler, Director of Data Science and AI at Slingshot

As Slingshot Aerospace continues to refine and expand Agatha’s applications, the system promises to play a significant role in the future of space domain awareness and satellite management.