#United States #Menlo Park #Space Force #LeoLabs #Orbital Intelligence

LeoLabs Teams Up with U.S. Space Agencies for Space Safety

LeoLabs, a leading provider in Orbital Intelligence, has announced a significant contract with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Space Force, marking a historic collaboration that aims to enhance space safety and security missions. This partnership is a pivotal step towards utilizing commercial technologies for federal space operations, aligning with the Presidential Executive Order focused on improving public sector access to innovative and efficient solutions.

The Contract's Importance

The contract, awarded on September 30, 2025, enables various federal agencies to harness LeoLabs' extensive Object Catalog, which includes critical data on nearly 25,000 space objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This initiative represents the first concerted effort to scale space surveillance capabilities across multiple U.S. government sectors, aiming to provide taxpayers with optimized services concerning national space interests.

Tony Frazier, CEO of LeoLabs, expressed enthusiasm about this interagency collaboration, stating that it would allow the company to take on missions traditionally reserved for government agencies. The company has shown remarkable growth, achieving a staggering 180% increase in government contracts since the previous year, with $29.4M in awards up to September 2025.

Leveraging Advanced Technologies

As part of this agreement, LeoLabs will supply the U.S. Space Force with a comprehensive catalog of orbital data, which includes radar observations and updates on object movements. This data will be integrated into the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), enabling enhanced situational awareness for space operations. The collaboration also allows the Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) unit to utilize LeoLabs’ data for threat assessment against potentially adversarial spacecraft in LEO.

Future Developments

Looking ahead, the Office of Space Commerce is exploring ways to best utilize the commercial catalog within the TraCSS framework, ensuring that the data provided by LeoLabs can yield actionable alerts and insights regarding space safety. The implications of having access to reliable and accurate data are substantial, particularly in a time when the number of satellites and debris in orbit continues to grow, heightening collision risks.

Earlier this year, LeoLabs was also designated for TraCSS' Commercial Collision Avoidance Gap Pathfinder effort, which aims to mitigate collision risks during critical post-launch phases. Furthermore, the company established a Space Act Agreement with NASA to investigate the potential applications of their data for upcoming conjunction assessment missions.

In addition to its existing projects, LeoLabs has received two grants from USSF SpaceWERX aimed at advancing its next-gen radar technologies. This development focuses on detecting evolving threats and could lead to innovative applications in tracking hypersonic activities and objects residing in very low Earth orbit (VLEO).

Conclusion

The collaboration between LeoLabs and the U.S. government represents a landmark advancement in space safety and security. By tapping into commercial resources for enhanced data capabilities, both agencies can expect to enhance their operational efficiency and effectiveness. As space continues to play an increasingly critical role in global interests, this partnership sets a precedent for future engagements between commercial entities and government agencies focused on securing the space domain.

Ultimately, LeoLabs is not only transforming the landscape of space operations but is also ensuring that the safety of our orbiting assets remains a top priority for all stakeholders involved.