Owl sensor
Scout's optical sensor that rides on a host satellite to find and track other spacecraft. Scout is building a geostationary unit for the Space Force, and an Owl is slated to fly on Blue Origin's first Blue Ring mission.
Why it matters
Watching other satellites from orbit gives a closer, more frequent view than ground telescopes. That matters to the Space Force as rival nations fly satellites that maneuver near U.S. assets.
How the technology works
Owl is a long-range, independently taskable optical payload for object detection and orbit determination, paired with Scout's onboard processing. The first geostationary flight unit is funded by a 2025 TACFI contract.
Scout says it has flown four payloads and plans about a dozen more missions in the next two years.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction