Ars spoke with the military’s chief orbital traffic cop—here’s what we learned
138d ago
Technology
Ars Technica

Ars Technica interviewed the US military's top official responsible for managing orbital traffic, gaining insights into the challenges of tracking objects in space. The official highlighted the existence of a 'red order of battle,' comprising approximately 2,000 to 2,200 objects of particular interest or concern. The interview likely delved into the nature of these objects, the methods used to monitor them, and the potential risks they pose to operational satellites and space activities. The discussion sheds light on the increasing complexity and importance of space domain awareness in an era of growing satellite populations and potential adversarial actions in orbit.