The increasing number of satellites and debris in Earth’s orbit has made space traffic more complex and challenging to manage. With hundreds of satellites and millions of tiny fragments moving at rapid speeds, avoiding collisions has become a priority for space agencies and satellite operators worldwide.
To enhance space safety, ESA (European Space Agency) launched the CREAM project, an innovative system designed to automate collision risk assessments and response actions. The current prototype integrates components that evaluate potential collision scenarios, generate avoidance maneuver plans, and support coordination among satellite operators.
The system can already provide alerts for possible conjunctions and suggest collision avoidance strategies, helping to streamline decision-making and reduce manual workload. ESA is now working to expand these capabilities integrating additional decision-making tools, facilitating communication for efficient and trapsnarent space traffic management, and preparing for in-orbit demonstrations. These demonstrations will include deploying CREAM onboard satellites as digital payloads, enabling the system to operate in real-time in space.
In automating key processes it aims to both reduce the risk of collisions and support the sustainable use of space by lowering debris creation. Learn more about ESA’s recent advancements by visiting their website here.
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