Company Spotlight: Spaceflux
With space becoming increasingly congested, advanced Space Situational Awareness (SSA) solutions are becoming ever more essential. As the number of satellites in orbit continues to rise, so does the risk of collisions and space debris.
Spaceflux, founded in 2022 by University College London (UCL) astrophysicists Dr Marco Rocchetto and Professor Ingo Waldmann, and entrepreneur Marcel Debczynski, has rapidly emerged at the forefront of this challenge. What began as a conversation between its three founders in a London pub has evolved into an innovative technology company with 30 staff, operations across five continents, offices in 2 countries, and multimillion-pound contracts.
Headquartered in London, Spaceflux specialises in tracking and monitoring satellites and space debris. It has built a global, proprietary network of optical telescopes in 15 locations across 5 continents and developed an advanced AI-powered data analytics platform to provide real-time data and insights about objects across all orbits – from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to geostationary orbit (GEO) and Cislunar.
These technologies set Spaceflux apart as they enable the company to detect and track objects as small as 2.5 centimetres in LEO and 10 centimetres in geostationary orbit, which most existing monitoring systems are not able to observe. Given that approximately 96% of space hazards are smaller than 10 centimetres—making them challenging to track—Spaceflux's high-precision optical sensors and AI analytics offer an effective solution. This precision is crucial, as even tiny pieces of debris can cause catastrophic damage to operational satellites.
The company’s real-time data and actionable insights are used by governments, satellite operators and space traffic management companies to avoid collisions in space, protect assets against adversarial actions and monitor the health and behaviour of satellites.
Since its inception, Spaceflux has rapidly expanded its reach and influence. Just five months after its launch, the company secured its first contract with the UK government, validating the quality and reliability of its tracking services. From there, Spaceflux has continued to grow, acquiring commercial and government clients. In November 2023, it won three multimillion contracts with the UK government and became the sole provider of geostationary tracking data to the UK Space Command and UK Space Agency.
By the end of 2023, the company had expanded its sensor network to include telescopes in Spain, Australia, the United States, Northern Africa, and Southern Africa. Within just nine months, they installed eight high-precision sensors, demonstrating their commitment to scaling up rapidly.
Spaceflux Observatory
The company's technological innovation is driven by their dedicated research and development division, Spaceflux Labs. This innovation hub focuses on pushing the boundaries of SSA technology with novel sensor technologies, innovative tracking methods and AI-based data analytics. In September 2024, Spaceflux was awarded the Infra-Red Sensor Technology Demonstrator System for Space Domain Awareness contract by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL). This project, developed by Spaceflux Labs, involves designing and building an infrared telescope testbed to enhance ground-based surveillance and characterisation of satellites.
One of Spaceflux’s most notable achievements was its involvement in tracking the breakup of the Intelsat 33e satellite in 2024. When the satellite disintegrated, Spaceflux was the first to detect the event, providing real-time updates to governmental agencies and commercial organisations. This rapid response enabled satellite operators to be regularly updated about the debris cloud to prevent potential collisions and ensure their assets were safe.
Spaceflux Sensor
Looking toward the future, Spaceflux plans to expand by increasing its telescope network to 25 sensor locations this year, significantly enhancing their tracking capabilities and coverage. Spaceflux Labs will continue to advance next-generation SSA technologies, while also strengthening partnerships with governmental bodies, satellite operators, and space sustainability organisations to create a more unified global approach to space monitoring.
Spaceflux co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer Marcel Debczynski said: “As the space industry continues to evolve, with more satellites being launched and new players entering the market, our role becomes increasingly critical. By combining innovative technology with a deep understanding of the space environment, we are not only safeguarding current space operations but ensuring that space remains a safe and navigable frontier for future generations.”
For more information about Spaceflux, visit https://spaceflux.io/
