SSA Systems

Indra Space operates a highly experienced optical observation network in Europe, delivering persistent and accurate tracking data for Space Surveillance & Tracking (SST) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA) operations. The system offers strategic space capabilities including Space Control, Space Support to Operations, Space Service Support, and Space Domain Awareness. Key SSA/SST services encompass collision prevention, fragmentation detection, re-entry alerts, object characterisation, orbit determination, cataloguing, space environment modelling, space weather monitoring, Near-Earth Object (NEO) tracking, behaviour prediction, and simulations. The infrastructure includes permanent optical telescope facilities across Spain (including the Canary Islands), Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores), Chile, and soon Australia (2026), ensuring uninterrupted coverage 365 nights a year with astrometric data accuracy better than one arcsecond. Mobile and Advanced Optical Systems provide plug-and-play deployment for tracking objects in LEO, MEO, and GEO orbits, featuring low power consumption, remote operation, minimal infrastructure, and real-time astrometric and photometric processing. The LEO Optical Fence is an all-sky monitoring system based on multi-channel rotational optics. The optical network is complemented by radar systems, offering a capacity of up to 20,000 trajectories per night. The S3T Surveillance Radar (S3TSR) is a state-of-the-art sensor designed to detect, track, and characterise objects in LEO and MEO orbits, such as space debris, satellites, and other celestial bodies, with potential capability to generate virtual satellite images. S3TSR is Spain’s contribution to the EUSST initiative, developed for ESA, located at Morón Air Base, and managed from Torrejón de Ardoz. It features a 13.2-metre Cassegrain antenna operating in the C-band and can track objects larger than 10 cm at distances close to 1,000 km. Supporting components include the S3TOC operations centre, telescopes, and a laser station, all integrated within the European SST framework. The Space Operations Centre provides dual-use space surveillance and tracking capabilities, such as position determination, trajectory analysis, and collision risk assessment. Indra’s Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capabilities also extend to supporting air defence and air traffic management (ATM) by integrating space surveillance technologies, missile detection, and re-entry tracking.