Technology Partner for Space Surveillance

Slingshot Aerospace is one of the world’s leading providers of AI-enabled solutions for satellite tracking, space traffic management, and orbital simulation. For the current expansion of the UK’s tracking capabilities, Baader Planetarium is supplying 13 AllSky Domes specifically engineered for continuous operation in demanding environments.

The domes ensure reliable, fully automatic / autonomous operation of sensitive instruments – regardless of climate, weather, or time of day. From extreme cold zones to tropical regions, they provide ideal operating conditions and offer long-term protection for the deployed sensors against environmental influences.

“We are very pleased that our systems contribute to the future space surveillance infrastructure of the United Kingdom,” says Johannes Baader, CEO of Baader Planetarium. “The AllSky Domes are designed to provide stable, precise, and low-maintenance infrastructure anywhere in the world.”

Low Earth orbit is more densely populated than ever before. Around 12,000 active satellites currently orbit the Earth – and with the rapid growth of commercial constellations, this number could rise to more than 100,000 by 2030. As a result, the risk of collisions or break-ups that create new debris and endanger operational satellites is increasing.

International partnerships such as that between Slingshot Aerospace and the UK Space Agency are essential to detect potential hazards at an early stage, make accurate orbit predictions, and ensure safe operations in space. Modern sensor technologies and robust ground infrastructure play a key role in this effort.

The project will create additional observation capacity at multiple international sites. This new infrastructure expands the geographical coverage of the existing Slingshot network and enhances the ability to evaluate orbital activity in real time.

“Through our partnership with the UK Space Agency, we are laying a solid foundation for expanding the UK’s space technology capabilities”, explains Tim Solms, CEO of Slingshot Aerospace.

Slingshot Aerospace currently operates more than 200 optical sensors at 21 sites across five continents. The current project will further expand this network. The integration of Baader Planetarium’s AllSky Domes ensures a long-term reliable, modular infrastructure that remains scalable for future national and international satellite observation solutions.

With this project, Baader Planetarium strengthens its position as a leading provider of robust high-tech solutions for industrial ground stations, research institutions, and space-related applications. From classical observatories to advanced SSA / SLR / LaserCom installations – partners worldwide rely on the durability, quality, and precision of our systems.