Michael G. Koltiska, 2d Lt, United States Air Force, Han Du, Lockheed Martin, Dan Prochoda, Lockheed Martin, Kevin Kelly, United States Air Force
Keywords: Radar, Phased Array Radar, Conjunction, Debris, Catalog Maintenance, United States Air Force, Lockheed Martin, Satellites
Abstract:
The Space Fence System is a ground-based space surveillance radar system designed to detect and track all objects in Low Earth Orbit the size of a softball or larger. The system detects many objects that are not currently in the catalog of satellites and space debris that is maintained by the US Air Force. In addition, it will also be capable of tracking many of the deep space objects in the catalog. By providing daily updates of the orbits of these new objects along with updates of most of the objects in the catalog, it will enhance Space Situational Awareness and significantly improve our ability to predict close approaches, aka conjunctions, of objects in space. With this additional capacity for tracking objects in space the Space Surveillance Network has significantly more resources for monitoring orbital debris, especially for debris that could collide with active satellites and other debris.
Date of Conference: September 20-23, 2016
Track: Poster