Space

Tracking and Characterizing

An estimated 36,500 pieces of debris larger than 4 inches / 10 centimeters and 7,560 satellites (as of 2023), orbit the Earth. That number is expected to grow to the tens of thousands in the next decade as we witness a revolution in the space economy as launch costs decrease, driving new ventures and broadening U.S. mission options utilizing small, privately owned spacecraft.

The Global Security Directorate’s Space Science and Security Program leverages its tools, capabilities and expertise to track satellites, debris and potentially hazardous asteroids to enhance space domain awareness. Given the possible threat of collisions of spacecrafts and satellites, it is important that we locate, track and characterize objects in space.

Asteroids and Planetary Defense

Planetary defense technologies are exploring how to prevent an impact of earth by a hazardous asteroid — a rare but dangerous event. Working with collaborators across several national labs, universities and international research centers, LLNL is developing methods for detecting and mitigating the next large Earth-bound object. This includes technologies to better understand asteroids’ properties — such as composition and density — which is essential to accurately changing their trajectory.

Double Asteroid Redirection Test

LLNL participated in NASA’s first planetary defense test, which deliberately collided a spacecraft into an asteroid called Dimorphos to change its trajectory. The test revealed the interior properties of the asteroid and tested technologies to prevent a hazardous asteroid impact with earth. LLNL’s role included modeling the asteroid’s impact and deflection. Learn more abut DART.

Rapid Apophis Characterization with Two Satellites

This mission concept shares a name with the asteroid it will observe that will fly past Earth on April 13, 2029, at less than 20,000 miles above the surface. Its fly-by is one of the best opportunities in 2,000 years to observe how a large asteroid is affected by Earth’s gravitational forces at close range. Our observations would add value to others planned by NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX mission, enabling scientists to best understand the asteroid’s composition. LLNL is currently seeking funding to develop this mission with its partners.