18 June 2026, from 11AM to 1PM at Sala Consiglio del DAER, Politecnico di Milano, Bovisa Campus, via la Masa 34, b12 Second Floor
Speaker: Dr Darren McKnight, Senior Technical Fellow at LeoLabs
A CONVERSATION ON SPACE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT: PRINCIPLES AND CHALLENGES
The Department of Aerospace Science and Technology will host a seminar by Dr Darren McKnight, Senior Technical Fellow at LeoLabs and internationally recognised expert in space safety, Space Traffic Management and orbital sustainability.
Over the past decades, the rapid growth of objects in orbit has become a major concern for space agencies, operators and institutions worldwide. This increasing congestion is further compounded by the accumulation of space debris, which poses a serious threat to operational satellites and to the long-term sustainability of space activities.
To support safer, more sustainable and better coordinated operations in orbit, Space Traffic Management (STM) has emerged as a critical framework for the planning, synchronisation and regulation of space activities. STM relies heavily on Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) services, including conjunction analysis, fragmentation monitoring and re-entry prediction. These capabilities are enabled by data collected through ground-based and space-based sensors, such as optical, radar, passive radiofrequency and laser systems.
The seminar will provide an up-to-date overview of the evolving orbital environment, with particular attention to the rapid growth of the Low Earth Orbit population and the increasing risks associated with satellite conjunctions, collisions and debris generation.
Dr McKnight will discuss the principles and challenges of Space Traffic Management, offering insight into current approaches to collision risk assessment, space debris mitigation and global space safety practices.
Dr Darren McKnight
Dr Darren McKnight is Senior Technical Fellow at LeoLabs, where he leads initiatives in space safety, space security and orbital sustainability. A recognised expert in Space Traffic Management and space debris mitigation, he develops collision risk assessment methodologies, supports space incident investigations and contributes to the advancement of global space safety practices.
He is a member of the International Academy of Astronautics Space Debris Committee and has authored more than 200 technical papers and presentations delivered in over 20 countries. He has also co-authored several books and book chapters on space debris, spacecraft operations and innovation.
Dr McKnight holds a BSc in Engineering Sciences from the United States Air Force Academy, an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Mexico and a PhD in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado.