Lockheed Martin has signed a cooperation agreement with EOS Space Systems to jointly develop, deploy and operate space-tracking sensor technology that they will house at a future site in Western Australia.
The companies said Tuesday they want the planned facility to increase the tracking service’s capacity and commercial coverage to meet the demand for such data across the space industry.
“Ground-based space situational awareness is a growing priority for government and commercial organizations around the world, that need to protect their investments in space,” said Rick Ambrose, executive vice president for Lockheed’s space systems business.
“Further expansion of the partnership’s tracking capacity through additional sensors and the establishment of new sites is also under consideration,” added Ben Greene, EOS chief executive officer.
The companies said the space-tracking facility in Australia will begin construction later this year for a scheduled start of operations in early 2016.
EOS Space Systems is a subsidiary of Electro Optic Systems Holdings.