GSOC’s continuing success as Germany’s leading satellite control center lies in its ability to manage its satellite missions and meet the demand for constant and meticulous supervision to ensure a collision-free functionality. An error-free operation is jeopardized to an ever-increasing degree by space debris and the number of objects orbiting the Earth, especially intensified by the presence of mega-constellations.
Currently GSOC relies for the most part on data and warnings made public by the USA. In order to meet GSOC’s high standard, GSOC has set up and operates the SMARTnet™ exchange platform together with the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern to observe space objects via its own world-wide network of telescope stations. Its data, combined with observations collected by other international stakeholders has been freely available since 2017 to our partners.
Additionally, with these telescopes individual observation campaigns are supported, the latest one was the impact on Dimorphos as part of the DART-mission, which was observed also from Sutherland, South Africa, with the 50cm telescope. The impact and its corresponding brightness variations can be seen in the following video:
More information about GSOC’s expertise and services in the field of SSA can be found in the Portfolio Module on the right (see Downloads section).