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AI Anomaly Detection Overview

Slingshot’s AI Anomaly Detection identifies unusual or unexpected satellite behavior by analyzing high-quality, multi-source space domain data.

Updated today

By fusing data from the Global Sensor Network (SGSN), Seradata, and other proprietary and public sources, the system detects deviations that may not be visible through traditional analysis alone.

What This Tool Does

AI Anomaly Detection:

  • Continuously monitors satellite behavior

  • Identifies statistically significant deviations

  • Ranks spacecraft by “Interest Factor”

  • Surfaces high-priority objects for investigation

  • Provides explainable metrics to support operational decisions


Operational Cadence

AI Anomaly Detection runs on a scheduled cadence:

  • Frequency: Daily

  • Lookback Window:

    • LEO: 45 days

    • GEO: 14 days

  • Coverage: Focused on satellites launched after 2010


Understanding the Interest Factor

The Interest Factor is a relative measure of how unusual a satellite’s recent behavior is compared to its baseline.

  • Values range from 0 to 1

  • Higher values indicate greater deviation

  • Used to rank satellites for investigation

Important:
The Interest Factor is comparative — it highlights objects that stand out relative to peers and historical behavior.


Satellite Interest Factors Chart

The primary visualization displays satellites plotted by NORAD ID and Interest Factor score.

  • Each point represents a satellite

  • Color coding reflects relative deviation

  • Date of run is displayed above the chart


Filtering Options

You can refine results using:

  • Orbit Regime Toggle: LEO or GEO

  • Date Selector: Select analysis date

  • Filter Icon: Apply additional filters


Top Five Spacecraft of Interest

The system highlights the top-ranked spacecraft based on Interest Factor.

For each object, you’ll see:

  • Name

  • Country

  • Orbit regime

  • Launch year

  • Key contributing factors (e.g., orbital motion, brightness variability)


Investigation Panel

Selecting a spacecraft opens the Investigation View.

This view includes:

  • Satellite metadata

  • Country

  • Orbit regime

  • Launch year

  • Interest Factor percentage

  • Compare – Compare with other spacecraft

  • View Metadata – Access detailed satellite information


Investigation Metrics

Each spacecraft includes detailed expandable analytics panels.

Apparent Magnitude

Tracks brightness changes over time, useful for detecting:

  • Attitude changes

  • Tumbling

  • Surface changes


Close Approaches

Displays proximity events that may indicate:

  • Conjunctions

  • Relative motion anomalies

  • Formation flying


Interest Factor History

Shows how the Interest Factor evolved over time.

Helps determine:

  • Sudden spikes

  • Sustained behavioral changes

  • Return to baseline


Mean Altitude

Tracks orbital altitude changes.

Useful for identifying:

  • Orbit raising or lowering

  • Drift patterns

  • Station-keeping anomalies


Minimum Angle Offset

Highlights changes in angular behavior that may indicate:

  • Attitude adjustments

  • Sensor or structural changes


GEO-Specific Investigation Metrics

For GEO satellites, additional metrics may include:

  • Drift Rate

  • Inclination

  • Longitude

  • Photometric Phase


Using Compare

The comparison view is important because anomaly detection is not only about seeing a pattern — it is about seeing whether that pattern is unusual relative to the population. Comparison is what turns a chart from an interesting trend into a more meaningful behavioral signal.

Use this to:

  • Identify relative behavior differences

  • Validate anomaly severity

  • Contextualize activity within a peer group


Exporting Data

Each investigation metric includes export options.

You can:

  • Download chart data


Best Practices

For effective use:

  • Start with the Top Five Spacecraft

  • Investigate sustained Interest Factor spikes

  • Cross-reference brightness with altitude changes

  • Compare against similar orbit regimes

  • Use metadata to contextualize behavior


When to Escalate

Consider deeper analysis if:

  • Interest Factor > 90%

  • Sustained altitude or drift changes

  • Repeated close approaches

  • Combined brightness and orbital anomalies


Powered by AGATHA AI

AI Anomaly Detection is powered by Slingshot’s AGATHA AI framework, enabling multi-source fusion and built-in explainability.


Next Steps

After identifying an anomaly, you can:

  • Monitor the object in Operations

  • Submit a tracking request

  • Compare against similar satellites

  • Export data for external reporting


You’re Ready to Investigate 🚀

AI Anomaly Detection gives you advanced, explainable analytics to surface and investigate unusual satellite behavior with confidence.

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