Kathleen Minear, Specialized Arrays Inc; G. Patrick Martin, Specialized Arrays Inc
Keywords: DARC, Self-Controlled, array, reflectors, Mars, Space Force, NASA, GEO, LEO
Abstract:
The future of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) ground systems is widely-spaced, large reflector antenna arraying. Additional antennas can easily be added indefinitely to the array enabling it to see further into space and at ultra-high resolutions. Space Force recently adopted large antenna arraying, as the enabling technology for the DARC program, a global GEO monitoring radar system.
NASA was the first to realize the benefits of arraying for Deep Space communications, funding three demonstrations between 2008 and 2010. Two significantly different approaches were born; one from government and the other from industry; Externally-Controlled and Self-Controlled, respectively. The Self-Controlled system does not rely on external satellites to repeatedly recalibrate it. If its powered up, its ready.
The governments shift from fixed-sized to widely-spaced antenna arrays made sense. Fixed-sized antennas lack the ability to expand EIRP and G/T, limiting their reach and precision. The latest fixed-size antennas are Space Fences phased array and LeoLabs trough antennas. They are limited to LEO orbits, detecting objects that pass through a fan-shaped region of space.
Currently about 31,740 objects are regularly tracked internationally but there are estimated to be about 1,000,000 greater than 1cm2, so a comprehensive approach was developed requiring a single low-cost reflector array system, on or near the Equator, staring at the horizon, for instant high precision characterization of ALL Earth propagating objects.
The authors have spent the last 17 years demonstrating and inventing methods for widely-spaced antenna arraying for radar and COMM. As domain experts, we offer our insights, findings, and recommendations.
Date of Conference: September 27-20, 2022
Track: SSA/SDA