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Nominal operations
Definition of nominal operations
Nominal Operations refer to the standard, planned activities and procedures that are conducted during the operational phase of a mission or project.
In the context of space missions, this phase encompasses routine functions and processes necessary for mission success, which include regular monitoring and control tasks, execution of planned maneuvers, and maintenance activities to ensure all systems are working within their expected parameters.
During nominal operations, the mission team follows predefined scripts and protocols that are established to manage the mission efficiently, addressing any emerging issues with established responses to maintain the planned course of action.
These operations generally represent the 'steady-state' of mission execution where all components and systems are operating properly, as opposed to contingency or emergency operations which are enacted when anomalies or unforeseen events occur.
Why nominal operations matter in LEO
Nominal operations are where most spacecraft time is spent, so routine monitoring, conjunction screening, and planned maneuver execution must be repeatable, traceable, and low-latency.
As traffic in LEO increases, “steady-state” operations increasingly include continuous collision risk management, coordination across fleets, and rapid handling of high-interest events without shifting into contingency mode.
Efficient nominal operations reduce operational load, limit unnecessary maneuvers, preserve mission lifetime, and support safe, scalable constellation management.
How Look Up supports nominal operations
Look Up supports nominal operations by detecting, tracking, and characterizing objects in LEO with SORASYS radars and by fusing multi-source data in the SYNAPSE platform to maintain an up-to-date operational space picture.
SYNAPSE delivers actionable alerts, cataloguing, and collision avoidance predictions with a 99.9% accuracy rate via API or interface, including on-premises deployment for secure operations.
This helps operators routinely screen conjunctions, prioritize responses, and execute planned maneuvers with reduced uncertainty and faster decision cycles.
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.