New USAF 'Space Fence' to Track Space Junk by 2019

A computer image generated by NASA shows objects, or “space junk,” orbiting Earth. A new “Space Fence” — a radar system that projects a wall of energy into space to track space debris — could potentially help protect astronauts from catastrophic events like those portrayed in the 2013 film “Gravity.” (NASA)

By Kevin Sullivan

In the blockbuster film “Gravity,” astronauts became stranded, floating in orbit after “space junk” hit their mission at a heart-racing speed. While the film is more science fiction than fact, there are huge concerns about all the debris in the Earth’s orbit, and how that could affect satellite systems.

Sixty years of activity in space have resulted in about 500,000 pieces of space debris. The detritus ranges from left-over pieces of rockets to a glove that an astronaut dropped in 1965. All of that material has the potential to collide with the 1,100 satellites over the Earth.

The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology held a hearing Friday on how to monitor and reduce the space junk. The Air Force is expected to award a contract in the next few weeks for a “Space Fence.” The fence isn’t really a fence. It’s a radar system that projects a wall of energy into space to track all the bits of junk floating around.

The Air Force shut down its old space fence last year, citing budget concerns. The new fence, expected to come online in 2019, would be even more powerful, with the ability to track objects 5 centimeters in size and larger.

More - Link >>> http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2014/05/09/new-space-fence

Source: "Here and Now" WBUR-FM Boston / National Public Radio.

Related Blog Posts ---

Space Junk Tracking to be Hindered by Shutdown of USAF 'Space Fence'  (2013 Aug. 15):

Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2013/08/space-junk-tracking-to-be-hindered-by.html

Sequestration: Cuts to USAF 'Space Fence' Tracking Space Junk ?  (2013 April 16):

Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2013/04/sequestration-cuts-to-usaf-space-fence.html

 

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