Space Guardian: Automating Collision Avoidance for a Safer Orbit
Space Guardian develops a cloud-based, fully automated collision-avoidance platform for satellite operators. The system combines predictive analytics, AI-based optimisation, and a unique bidding mechanism to prevent collisions and reduce orbital debris. The company is part of the CASSINI ecosystem, supported by EUSPA and ESA mentors.
From Hackathon to Startup Launch
The story of Space Guardian began at the 8th CASSINI Hackathon in November 2024, where a small team of engineers set out to solve one of the fastest-growing challenges in space: the rising risk of satellite collisions. Their concept, a fully automated collision-avoidance system powered by predictive algorithms and fair-bidding system, earned them first place among 200 participating teams.
That recognition proved to be the start of a bigger journey. Over the following months, the team transformed their prototype into a startup, validating the technology and business case with guidance from the CASSINI mentoring network. By mid-2025, Space Guardian had become a recognized name within the European space innovation ecosystem, blending academic precision with startup execution speed.
Building the Future of Orbital Safety
Every week, around forty new satellites are launched into orbit, intensifying the congestion in low Earth orbit. Current collision-avoidance procedures remain largely manual, with operators relying on emails, outdated coordination methods, and round-the-clock human supervision. Space Guardian’s software addresses this problem head-on. It continuously monitors orbital data, predicts conjunctions in real time, and can plan or even execute avoidance manoeuvres automatically. Its auction-based coordination Newsletter 1 protocol ensures that when two satellites are on a potential collision path, only one performs the manoeuvre — while the other compensates, saving fuel and preventing duplicate actions.
By combining AI-driven optimization, real-time analytics, and secure cloud infrastructure, the platform not only reduces operational costs by up to 30% but also introduces a new level of fairness and efficiency in orbital management.
“Automation is the missing link in orbital safety,” says Luka Zlatečan, CEO of Space Guardian. “Our goal is to make collision avoidance so seamless that it becomes invisible, a standard part of every operator’s workflow, not a crisis reaction.”
Support, Traction, and Funding
Space Guardian’s early traction has been amplified through its involvement in multiple CASSINI initiatives. Following its hackathon success, the company went on to win the CASSINI Challenges (Idea Track) in June 2025 and was selected to present at the CASSINI Entrepreneurship Days in Prague that October.
In parallel, the startup secured €72,000 in P2 funding from the Slovene Enterprise Fund, enabling it to expand its technical team and begin pilot preparations with satellite operators in 2026. The company also placed 3rd at We Make Future in Bologna and was selected to represent Slovenian innovation at Web Summit 2025, underscoring its growing reputation as a promising deep-tech startup in the space sector.
“CASSINI gave us more than recognition — it connected us to experts, partners, and a community that believes in European leadership in space,” adds Luka. “That network has been instrumental in helping us turn an idea from a hackathon into a viable company.”
A European Story of Collaboration
While Space Guardian’s technology is developed by a compact and highly specialized team of engineers and researchers, the project embodies the collaborative spirit of the European space ecosystem. Through mentorship from EUSPA and ESA experts, the team has gained insights into regulatory, technical, and commercial challenges that define space traffic management today. By aligning its development with EU SST frameworks and GOVSATCOM standards, Space Guardian is not only building a commercial product but also contributing to Europe’s long-term space resilience and autonomy.
Looking Ahead: Toward a Safer, Sustainable Orbit
As Space Guardian prepares its first pilot integrations with satellite operators, the company is focused on validating its autonomous decision engine and scaling the platform into a trusted service for Europe’s rapidly expanding satellite fleets. With more than 50,000 satellites expected in orbit by 2030, the startup’s mission is both urgent and essential: to ensure that the space around Earth remains safe, accessible, and sustainable for generations to come.
Visit Space Guardian to learn more.
Visit the CASSINI Initiative to learn more.
Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website.