British house tech helps forestall satellite tv for pc collisions in crowded orbit
Nottingham-based GMV UK has developed new software to help predict and prevent collisions between satellites orbiting Earth, where crowded space is making close calls increasingly common
British tech scientists have created and launched new software aimed at preventing satellites from colliding with space debris. The system, developed by Nottingham-based GMV UK, is designed to prevent crashes between satellites in low Earth orbit, where the increasing congestion of space is leading to more frequent close encounters.
The technology was conceived and developed in the UK, with backing from the European Space Agency’s ARTES programme and the UK Space Agency. The software operates from Earth, utilising data from telescopes, radars, and satellite operators to predict potential near-misses in orbit, enabling operators to make necessary adjustments to avert collisions.
While actual satellite crashes are still relatively rare, the frequency of near misses is on the rise due to the rapid proliferation of satellites and space debris. A single Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite – many of which are used for internet services – may receive dozens of close-call alerts daily.
GMV’s cutting-edge collision prevention software is so advanced that it helped the company secure a contract to develop a new online platform that will enable all space entities to communicate and coordinate to avoid conflicts. The Space Safety Portal (SSP), set up for the Space Data Association – a global non-profit consortium of satellite operators – is slated to go live in January 2026.
It will facilitate easier collaboration between satellite companies, space monitoring services, and international agencies.
“Our work on LEO collision avoidance reflects GMV UK’s commitment to advancing space safety through innovation and through partnership”.
Mark Dumville, the CEO of GMV UK, has announced that their new technology will become “the core analytical engine of the Space Safety Portal (SSP) for the Space Data Association” in January 2026. This innovative tech was added to the existing safety tools earlier this year and is designed to enhance space safety through innovation and partnership.
The ground-based software system processes orbit data from telescopes, radars, and operators to predict potential collisions and support avoidance manoeuvres. While GMV acknowledges that “actual collisions remain rare”, they note that “close approaches have become far more frequent due to the growth of constellations and debris”.
As a result, thousands of potential clashes are detected daily.
The system monitors objects in Earth’s orbit including active satellites, inactive spacecraft, rocket bodies, and debris fragments, which can be as small as just 10cm.
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