On February 12, 2025, Sybilla Technologies officially launched the GEON project with a Kickoff Meeting in Bydgoszcz, marking a significant step in advancing space situational awareness.
This milestone event brought together experts from the European Space Agency, including Tim Flohrer, Head of the Space Debris Office at ESA, and Sascha Metz, Space Debris Test & Validation Engineer at ESA, as well as distinguished guests from the Polish Space Agency (POLSA), Tymoteusz Trocki and Zygmunt Anioł, and Jacek Kosiec from Creotech Instruments. Their presence underscored the strategic importance of GEON in shaping the future of global space surveillance.
One of the key highlights of the kickoff meeting was that Sybilla Technologies is leading the GEON project as the sole contractor. While we independently develop and implement the platform, we will closely collaborate with key stakeholders, such as POLSA and Creotech, who will be among the potential users of the system.
Unifying Space Data for Advanced Monitoring and Safety
GEON, or the Global European Optical Network, is the commercial continuation of ESA’s European Optical Network (EON). It is designed to become a comprehensive platform for space situational awareness (SSA) and space surveillance and tracking (SST), covering objects from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geostationary Orbit (GEO).
The project is built upon an extensive global network of optical sensors which provide seamless data collection and real-time surveillance capabilities. This decentralized approach allows sensors to complement each other, increasing reliability and reducing operational costs.
Bringing the Future of Space Surveillance to Life
The kickoff event provided an opportunity for Sybilla Technologies, to present the project’s objectives, technological scope, and roadmap. Representatives from the Polish Space Agency (POLSA) and Creotech, who may potentially benefit from the results of GEON in Poland, also attended the event, underlining the wide-reaching impact of Sybilla Technologies’ independent success.
“We have started an exciting 30-month adventure, which underscores our dedication to advancements in space technology but also strengthens our collaboration with international partners, ensuring a safer and more secure space environment for all. “ – Karolina Werengowska, Head of Project Management, Sybilla Technologies and leader of GEON.
ESA’s Backing: Fueling GEON’s Mission
Big ideas need strong support—GEON has it. With a €3.2 million budget, ESA is covering 75% (€2.4 million), proving its commitment to revolutionizing space surveillance.
But ESA does more than fund GEON:
- Project’s stakeholder – Contribution to the market analysis in terms of market direction and priorities, roadmap approvals, and performance reviews.
- A key data user – Subscribing to GEON’s data catalog, evaluating its quality, and using it for operations.
- [Potentially] a data provider – Connecting its own sensor to enhance the platform.
GEON will enhance market availability for commercial data delivery and exchange. It will drive the optimization of the technology stack, from data demand to data-driven services, by integrating the company’s products and services into a single platform.
A New Era of Space Data Services
The GEON platform integrates Sybilla Technologies’ existing products—ABOT, Astrometry24.NET, and AstroDrive.io—into a unified system for space tracking and analysis. It is designed to provide critical services, including:
- Orbital Object Cataloging – A proprietary catalog with ephemeris data exceeding publicly available resources.
- Collision Avoidance & Maneuver Support – Ensuring satellite safety through advanced predictive analytics.
- Light Curve Analysis – Characterizing objects based on their optical signatures.
- Custom Data Solutions – Delivering on-demand SSA data tailored to specific mission requirements.
GEON: A Global Sensor Network Redefining Space Surveillance
The GEON platform is more than just a data repository; it is an active ecosystem that enables real-time tasking, sensor calibration, quality monitoring, and orbital analysis. Platform is software, observations and server infrastructure for space situational awareness data (Space Survliance and Tracking) from LEO to GEO based on passive optical sensors. This makes it a vital tool for satellite operators, space service providers, and optical sensor owners looking to optimize their systems while minimizing operational costs.
” The launch of the GEON project under the Competitiveness Segment of ESA’s Space Safety Programme is a major milestone for Europe’s efforts. With its global network of optical sensors and advanced analytical capabilities, it sets a new perspective for emerging services supporting space situational awareness. Sybilla Technologies’ independent leadership in this initiative is a testament to the power of innovation in tackling the growing challenges of space debris and ensuring long-term space sustainability, such as the goal of Zero Debris. “ – Tim Flohrer, Head of the Space Debris Office, ESA.
With its full-stack technology suite, GEON is able to redefine how we observe and interpret space activities, offering an unprecedented level of insight and control to stakeholders across the industry.
A Vision for the Future
The kickoff meeting in Bydgoszcz set the stage for a new chapter in space surveillance and tracking. With ESA’s endorsement and the participation of key Polish space sector players, GEON is on track to become a cornerstone in Europe’s space security infrastructure. The road ahead is ambitious, but with the expertise of Sybilla Technologies, the project is well-positioned to deliver groundbreaking advancements in space safety and data accessibility.
As we move forward, Sybilla Technologies remains committed to pushing the boundaries of space observation, ensuring a safe and sustainable environment for future generations.