Satellites with flashing LEDs could help avoid catastrophic collisions

By Jonathan O’Callaghan

A small satellite launching in early 2021 will test a novel method to track satellites in orbit – using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that flash to relay its position to the ground.

LEDSAT, a cube-shaped satellite measuring around 10 centimetres on each side, will be equipped with 140 LEDs across its faces. These will flash every few seconds, enough to be noticeable to observers and to give the satellite’s location and even its orientation. The solar-powered satellite is designed to operate for at least a …