The Department of Energy is seeking to license the Extremely Low-Resource Optical Identifier (ELROI), a solar-powered beacon developed by engineers at Los Alamos National Laboratory for satellite tracking. ELROI provides a unique identification signal that operates autonomously without RF emissions, enhancing space traffic management and reducing operational risks associated with unidentified satellites. The initiative aims to transition from prototypes to production-scale manufacturing while expanding ground network capabilities and encouraging satellite operator adoption.
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Engineers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a “license plate” for satellites to help solve the growing problem of space traffic management.
The Extremely Low-Resource Optical Identifier (ELROI) is a simple, easy-to-fly, solar-powered beacon that can be attached to a satellite for tracking.
Each ELROI unit transmits a custom identification number that can be read from the ground using signal processing techniques also developed at Los Alamos.
The Challenge: Identifying space objects after launch remains a persistent challenge.
When dozens of satellites are deployed simultaneously, determining which object is which using traditional radar or optical tracking methods is slow, error-prone, or sometimes impossible.
This lack of real-time, reliable identification hinders satellite commissioning, increases operational risk, and undermines space traffic management efforts.
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