Arcfield's Orion Space Solutions to provide near real-time atmospheric modeling data to U.S. Space Systems Command Space Domain Awareness TAP Lab Accelerator

The company's successful demonstration of its Dragster model during the Apollo Accelerator Cohort 4 led to this award.

CHANTILLY, Va., Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Orion Space Solutions (Orion), a wholly owned subsidiary of Arcfield, has been awarded a one-year contract to deliver atmospheric density data-as-a-service to the U.S. Space Systems Command (SSC) Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Tools Applications and Processing (TAP) Lab in Colorado Springs, Colo. The data will be calculated and delivered using the company's proprietary Dragster algorithm and software. It will include thermospheric density measurements for specific locations chosen by the user, as well as adjustments to improve the accuracy of those measurements.

The SDA TAP Lab Apollo Accelerator is a collaborative tech accelerator for industry, academia and government to solve critical SDA challenges. As part of the SDA TAP Lab Cohort 4, Orion joined approximately 20 organizations focused on developing tools for data processing, analysis and visualization. Specifically, the company utilized its Dragster model, a nowcasting solution that enhances the accuracy of orbit determination and orbit propagation of objects detected with optical, radio and radar sensors. During the three-month sprint, Orion successfully demonstrated how the near real-time outputs of the Dragster model can support SDA by mitigating collisions and optimizing communication resources.

"Dragster is the only operational model in the world, run in an unclassified environment, that can model atmospheric drag with unrivaled accuracy," said Chad Fish, president and general manager of Orion. "We are thrilled to receive this award and continue delivering Dragster's data to the lab in support of SDA advancement."

With this award, Orion will deliver data-as-a-service to SDA TAP Lab Cohorts 5-8 for further integration with other technologies. For assets below approximately 600 kilometers altitude, atmospheric drag becomes the primary force disturbing satellite orbits. Rapid and accurate access to orbit drag insights enhances understanding of the space environment and can more accurately predict how low and very low Earth orbit can evolve over time.  

"Since its inception, the SDA TAP Lab has been successfully bridging technological gaps to accelerate the SDA mission," said Kevin Kelly, chairman and CEO of Arcfield. "We are honored to continue playing a part in its success. Congratulations to our innovative team at Orion who continues to push the limits on what is scientifically possible."

To learn more about how Arcfield's Orion Space Solutions is bridging critical data gaps in space exploration and its impacts, visit orion.arcfield.com.

About Orion Space Solutions, an Arcfield Company
Orion, a wholly owned subsidiary of Arcfield, was born from the vision to apply fundamental space physics knowledge to real-world problems. A leader in the small satellite industry, Orion leverages scientific and engineering expertise to develop unique solutions to address complex space-based challenges to turn science into data and data into knowledge.

SOURCE Arcfield