ThothX Meridian (Portugal) – Radar-Based Space Surveillance
In the remote Azores archipelago, a discreet startup is quietly redefining Europe’s access to the high ground of space. ThothX Meridian, Portugal’s emerging space radar specialist, is deploying advanced ground-based sensors that can track satellites and space debris around the clock, regardless of weather or daylight. This cutting-edge capability – traditionally the domain of United States military networks – is now being indigenously developed on European soil. ThothX’s bold venture, in partnership with Canada’s Thoth Technology, repurposes giant old telecom dishes into deep-space radar eyes trained on the geostationary orbit 36,000 km above Earth. The result is a real-time picture of satellites and orbital hazards over Europe and the Atlantic, delivered as a service to militaries and satellite operators alike. By enabling Europe to independently monitor its strategic space assets, ThothX is not only advancing technology but also European autonomy. The company’s involvement in NATO’s innovation accelerator and its collaboration with agencies from Germany to the United States hint at its dual identity – a European-born startup with transatlantic roots. ThothX Meridian’s story sits at the intersection of commercial innovation and strategic necessity, promising to illuminate the dark expanse of orbit for Europe’s security. It’s an enticing glimpse into how a small company could bolster Europe’s strategic sovereignty in space – and a story we delve into fully in the report beyond this introduction.