Commercial Space Imaging Firm Vantor Aids U.S. Space Force in Tracking Orbital Objects

New Surveillance Capability for Space Force

Commercial Earth intelligence company Vantor has begun providing high-resolution space-to-space imagery to the U.S. Space Force, according to an October 22 announcement. Sources indicate this partnership addresses significant gaps in military surveillance of low Earth orbit by tracking satellites and other orbital objects that pass through “blind spots” inaccessible to ground-based sensor networks.

Filling Critical Observation Gaps

Under a contract with the Space Force’s Joint Commercial Operations cell in Colorado, Vantor is delivering both tracking data and detailed imaging of space objects, the report states. The company’s ability to capture images of other spacecraft at resolutions finer than 10 centimeters from distances exceeding several hundred kilometers provides unprecedented visibility into orbital activities that were previously difficult to monitor.

Analysts suggest this capability is particularly valuable for tracking satellites that might change trajectory, potentially posing collision risks to U.S. military and government space assets or indicating threatening behavior. The continuous tracking and positional updates provided by Vantor enable more responsive space domain awareness, according to reports.

Evolution of Non-Earth Imaging

Vantor’s space-to-space intelligence business, also known as non-Earth imagery, reportedly began just three years old following a December 2022 license modification by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This regulatory change allowed the company to redirect its high-resolution satellites away from Earth to capture images of other spacecraft in orbit.

Susanne Hake, senior vice president and general manager of Vantor’s U.S. government business, explained that “our ability to capture high resolution space-to-space images puts us in a strong position to help the Space Force safeguard U.S. assets.” She emphasized that the company provides more than just imagery, extracting critical intelligence including spacecraft orientation, object velocity data relative to multiple reference points, and deployment confirmation that telemetry alone cannot verify.

Dual-Use Operational Efficiency

The company‘s space observation capability does not require dedicated satellite time separate from its core Earth observation business, according to Hake. She explained that Vantor conducts non-Earth imaging during passes over oceans and polar regions where most Earth observation customers have limited interest, enabling simultaneous fulfillment of both mission sets without compromising either.

This operational efficiency makes the surveillance capability particularly cost-effective, analysts suggest, though specific contract details or financial values were not disclosed in the announcement.

Expanding Commercial Applications

While the Space Force contract highlights military demand for space surveillance, reports indicate commercial customers are also finding value in non-Earth imagery. Satellite operators reportedly use these images to verify spacecraft deployment after launch, confirming that solar arrays or antennas have unfolded properly before telemetry data becomes available.

Vantor has also secured a separate contract with NOAA’s Office of Space Commerce to provide non-Earth imagery supporting space traffic management initiatives. This application addresses coordination challenges when newly launched satellites possess limited or imprecise positional tracking data, a critical window when collision risk spikes and coordination becomes difficult for satellite operators, launch providers and space traffic managers.

Broader Implications for Space Security

The partnership between Vantor and the Space Force represents a growing trend of commercial capabilities supplementing government space operations. As the number of objects in orbit continues to increase, the ability to monitor spacecraft behavior and verify positional data becomes increasingly critical for maintaining space security and sustainability.

Industry observers suggest that commercial space-to-space imaging services will likely play an expanding role in both national security and civilian space traffic management as regulatory frameworks evolve to address the challenges of crowded orbital environments.

References & Further Reading

This article draws from multiple authoritative sources. For more information, please consult:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Space_Force
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacecraft
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbit

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