First Space Fence radar site located

Jan. 16, 2013
The location of the first radar base for a new Space Fence to track near-Earth objects will be located on Kwajalein Island in the Republic of the Marshall Islands

Kwajalein Island in the Republic of the Marshall Islands will host the first radar site of a Space Fence that will detect, track, and measure orbiting space objects.

When operational, the Space Fence will include several ground-based S-band radars that continuously track objects in near and mid-Earth orbit. The sensitivity and short wavelength of S-band radar lets the Fence track objects the size of a softball 1,200 miles above Earth. The Fence should improve the safety of orbiting satellites and more quickly detect such “space events” as the collision between a U.‰S. Iridium communications satellite and Russian Cosmos communications satellite in 2009. That collision alone ejected several hundred pieces of debris into orbit and each could become a menace to other spacecraft.

When completed, the Space Fence will replace the Air Force Space Surveillance System, or VHS Fence, that’s been in service since 1961.

© 2013 Penton Media, Inc.

About the Author

Robert Repas

Robert serves as Associate Editor - 6 years of service. B.S. Electrical Engineering, Cleveland State University.

Work experience: 18 years teaching electronics, industrial controls, and instrumentation systems at the Nord Advanced Technologies Center, Lorain County Community College. 5 years designing control systems for industrial and agricultural equipment. Primary editor for electrical and motion control.

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