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| Science & Technology |
| Space Command has its eyes on SETI's Allen Telescope Array |
| 2009-07-05 |
| AFSPC is exploring opportunities in academia and the commercial sector that could provide suitable cost-effective means for augmenting Space Command's Space Surveillance mission. The Allen Telescope Array (ATA), located in Northern California is one such opportunity. The ATA which is operated by the SETI Institute and its partner, the Radio Astronomy Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley is a radio interferometer dedicated to cutting-edge astronomical research. This array of antennas is optimized to receive and process a very wide portion of the radio spectrum and can observe many areas of the sky at once. AFSPC, through the Space Innovation and Development Center (SIDC), is evaluating the possible use of the ATA to augment the SSN, potentially leveraging the array to help increase space situational awareness. Initial demonstrations show promise for the ATA to track transmitting communication satellites in Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit and, most promising, in Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO), which is home to the most costly, highly-utilized, and vital satellites that orbit the earth. If demonstrations are successful, the ATA may prove to be a viable all-weather, day and night contributor to the SSA mission. |
| Posted by:3dc |
| #2 AA - that's the first thing I thought, too. A closer read (and some familiarity with the Allen Array) straightened me out. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2009-07-05 22:20 |
| #1 My bad eyes saw: "Alien Telescope Array" instead of. "Allen Telescope Array " (snorfle) |
| Posted by: AlmostAnonymous5839 2009-07-05 19:19 |