Space Surveillance involves the detection and tracking of space debris. These objects can pose a threat for US military and commercial satellites. Space Fence is designed in order to detect and track these objects. It is also designed to help prevent collisions in near-Earth orbit. Space Fence uses Sband ground based radar to track space objects in medium, high, and geosynchronous earth orbits. The radar can detect objects up to 10 cm in size in space. It can also detect collisions and maneuvers. Space Fence has the ability to quickly provide orbital information about possible threats and to help prevent future collisions.
Space Surveillance Radar, currently under construction, is being replaced by an Sband radar system. The new system will increase object tracking and accuracy. It will also be able to predict space-based collisions more accurately. It can also be used to warn of possible threats to commercial and military space systems. It provides accurate orbital information about potential threats such as launches and breakups, maneuvers, and so on. It will also aid the Air Force in keeping track of hundreds and thousands of objects orbiting, helping to prevent collisions between key space-based infrastructure.
The Space Surveillance Network first appeared in 1961. It was designed to help the Defense Department track and analyze thousands of objects in space. Space Fence was first developed by the Air Force. This system allowed the Air Force to track more that 20,000 objects in the space. The new system will track over one million objects daily and will allow for more precise surveillance. The Air Force will be able to respond faster to potential threats to commercial and military space systems. The Air Force will have the ability to track and destroy space junk as well as depleted rocket boosters.
The Space Fence system is located on Kwajalein Atoll, an island in the Marshall Islands. It is located close to the Ballistic Missile Defense test station. It is operated from the Air Force's 20th Space Control Squadron. The Air Force shares responsibility for space situational awareness with NASA. The Space Operations Command manages this unit. This unit is responsible for operating sensors as well as the Space Surveillance Network.
The Space Fence system is comprised of two ground radars that will track over 100,000 objects a day. It can travel at 17,500 mph and provides uncued surveillance from low Earth orbit. The Air Force will use Space Fence to monitor and track space objects, including military satellites, in low, medium, and geosynchronous Earth orbits. Space Fence provides communications services to military operations.
Space Fence will assist the Air Force in keeping track of commercial and military space systems and will alert it of possible threats. Space Fence will help prevent collisions from near-Earth space. Space Fence also provides information about objects in orbit. This allows Air Force to identify objects in space and to determine what is happening in space.