Space Data Association

The Space Data Association (SDA) is a nonprofit industry association founded in 2009 and registered on the Isle of Man, established by leading satellite operators (including SES, Intelsat, Inmarsat, ViaSat, and others) to share flight safety data and improve space situational awareness for operational GEO and MEO satellites. The SDA operates the Space Data Center (SDC), a secure data-sharing platform where member operators contribute precise maneuver notifications, satellite position data, and operational status — information not available in the public Space-Track.org catalog.

This enables the SDC to provide more accurate conjunction screening than US government catalog data alone. As GEO satellite population grew and proximity operations became routine, the SDA filled the gap between public SSA data (limited by tracking accuracy and timeliness) and the detailed knowledge satellite operators hold about their own satellite maneuvers. Membership has expanded to include LEO operators as constellations proliferate.