Sutter telescope system
Telescope systems and software from TransAstra that find very faint, fast-moving objects such as small asteroids and space debris.
Why it matters
Small objects in orbit and near the Moon are hard to see with standard telescopes. More sensitive detection helps the Space Force track satellites and helps asteroid hunters find targets.
How the technology works
TransAstra's detection software, now called Theia, is built to pick out faint moving objects that conventional processing misses. The company runs Sutter telescope systems at observatories in Arizona, California's Sierra Nevada and Australia.
The Sutter Turn Key Observatory packages up to 18 telescopes for any remote site with electrical power, and a Defense Department award funds adapting the software for use in space.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction