- Solutions
- Technology
- About
- News
- Contact
Maneuver planning
Definition
Manoeuvre planning refers to the strategic process involved in designing and executing changes in the trajectory or orientation of a satellite or spacecraft within its orbital path. This planning is crucial for ensuring the smooth operation of space assets, preventing potential collisions with other objects, and optimizing the performance and lifespan of the satellite.
It involves detailed analysis and execution of desired positional adjustments that may be necessitated by various factors, including conjunction avoidance (to prevent potential collisions with space debris or other satellites), maintaining or changing orbits, addressing anomalies, and optimizing the coverage and performance for mission objectives. The process utilizes precise algorithms, data from tracking and surveillance systems, and collaborative decision-making to ensure safe and efficient space traffic management.
Balancing safety, propellant, and operational constraints
Maneuver planning is where mission safety, fuel economy, and availability converge: operators must decide when and how to move a spacecraft while minimizing collision risk and avoiding unnecessary propellant use.
It relies on timely, accurate conjunction assessment, clear uncertainty management, and coordination across multiple stakeholders, especially for constellation operations where one maneuver can propagate into downstream conflicts. Good maneuver planning reduces false alarms, prevents missed high-risk events, and supports scalable space traffic management in increasingly congested orbits.
How Look Up enables collision avoidance decisions
Look Up supports maneuver planning by detecting and tracking objects with SORASYS radars and by fusing multi-source tracking data in the SYNAPSE platform to maintain an up-to-date space picture.
SYNAPSE predicts conjunctions and issues actionable alerts, supporting collision avoidance with tailored maneuver recommendations that account for mission constraints. This combination helps operators coordinate decisions faster, reduce uncertainty, and protect satellite fleets through continuous risk management and asset protection services.
We deliver space situational awareness (SSA) and space domain awareness (SDA) solutions that help secure active satellites and ensure safe operations in the ever-growing expanse of space.