Case Study: ADLER-1 achieves in-orbit micro-debris detection with Spire's LEMUR nanosatellite platform

Innovating for space debris detection with ADLER-1 satellite mission

ADLER-1 is an Austrian technology-demonstrator nanosatellite mission addressing the lack of in-orbit data on micro space debris—small particles that are difficult to detect from ground-based radar or telescopes. Spire was selected to fly the ADLER-1 mission, using its LEMUR (Low Earth Multi-Use Receiver) nanosatellite platform and onboard continuous-wave debris detection radar to gather the missing in-situ measurements.

Spire integrated a 3U, 6 kg LEMUR satellite with the Austrian Particle Impact Detector (APID) — a 0.3 m² piezoelectric array — and Spire’s radar (≈100 m range for sub‑millimetric particles) to detect micrometer‑scale particles traveling at several km/s. The ADLER-1 mission demonstrated new debris-detection techniques, produced in-orbit measurements to complement and validate debris models, and tested radar-based tracking from orbit, delivering measurable capabilities (0.3 m² impact array, ~100 m radar range, micrometer particle sensitivity) to improve space debris situational awareness.

ADLER-1

Gernot Grömer

Director