Air Force Space Surveillance System - Essay Example

?Air Force Space Surveillance System Introduction Air Force Space Surveillance System is the multistatic government owned radar system used for the purpose of detecting orbital objects that happen to pass over America. It is simply called the Space Fence (Launius, 2012). It is part of the government but under the care and management of the space surveillance network (U.S). It is an extraordinary piece of national intelligence since it can detect small objects of about 10 cm in size. Practical, technical, and policy aspects of the Air Force Space Surveillance System Practically, the air force system for surveillance is used for the purpose of tracking objects with precise accuracy in the entire existing satellite catalogue. It is applicable also in the US military for the purpose of tracking both medium and large sized objects that exists in the orbit. It is capable of tracking approximately 23,000 manmade equipments and objects rotating in the orbit taken by Earth itself. This material information is used by the US military for the sole purpose of SSA operations and work. These operations include the detection of potential and dangerous manmade and natural threats to its orbiting satellites (Chaplian, 2010). Additionally, practically it is used for the detection of the close approaching objects that could result into devastating and unfortunate collisions. Technically, the air force system for surveillance has three distinctive transmitters located at differentiated places in the United States of America. The differentiated technical locations are Lake Kickapoo, Jordan Lake, and Gila River. These places have been selected since they are strategically vital and workable with the surveillance system operative mechanisms. The one that is located at Lake Kickapoo is believed to be the most powerful and essential continuous wave station globally. It works and operates with a radiated power of about 768 kWv on a scope of 216.97927 MHz (Angelo, 2009). The other two locations have their own distinctive technical qualities as well. These qualities are the same. They both share the commonality of having the originality in design by possessing the antennas twice the current length. This is important as it allows the two transmitters to have greater and stronger radiated power. Apart from the transmitters, there exits receiving stations. Policy aspects of the AFSSS The policy aspects of the air force system for surveillance are numerous. The fast policy in regard to the air force system for surveillance was operated under a maintenance and operations contract. This ensured that the daily running and operations of the air force system for surveillance was under a contractual accord under the Five Rivers Service. The Five Rivers Service is based in Colorado. The other policy that revolved around the air force system for surveillance is that it had differentiated aspects that related to its running. This included policies regarding its contract modification aimed at managing, operating, and logistically supporting the total nine surveillance field stations. This was done for the fiscal year of 2012. It enabled the air force system of surveillance to continue to operate. Tool for decision-making The air force system for surveillance works by under a given contractor who mans it providing all the required labor support and personnel to maintain and operate all the seven AFSSS filed stations. The contractor works on checking the performance of the seven field stations since the air force system for surveillance has been identifies as a crucial and vital defense system. The entire system works by being manned 24/7 on a 7-days-a –week basis annually at the respective transmitter sites. The tool is used for decision making since it monitors the threats that exist to space and earth satellites. This means that in any case when there is a threat of collision or damage probability on lone of these satellites; decisions have to be made on whether the threat should be terminated (Chapman, 2008). Additionally, decisions will be made on whether the various threats can be avoided by moving the satellites to another orbital path. These threats could be bits of space shuttles or space debris that could damage or make the satellites malfunction. The air force system for surveillance was developed by putting up seven filed stations at strategic points so that they can monitor satellites by transmitting to receiver stations (Benton, 2008). It was developed by incorporating military technology and government initiated projects for the purpose of securing owner satellites orbiting in space. How it is used in homeland security and/or emergency management It is used for the detection of foreign satellites too by spying on any man-made structure coming into its orbital scope. This means that homeland security can access the US military’s Space Surveillance Network when need arises to respond to emergency threats. This could be rocket launches or other countries’ satellites that have not been authorized into the U.S air base system (Hays, 2011). Strengths and weaknesses The strength of the AFSSS is that it is capable of tracking approximately 23,000 manmade equipments and objects rotating in the orbit of the Earth. This makes it very efficient in its operations due to scientific advancement. It’s weakness it not in it structure. It is that the entire system has failed to prove to its AFSPC General, William Shelton, why it should be operational. That is why it was shutdown on by the starting of the new fiscal year on 1st October. I do not personally see it needing any improvement in the new future. This is simply because the budgetary constraints that led to its shutdown are immense and it will take a social event to make Congress reconsider reinitiating the AFSSS. Application/use in the real world The AFSSS is used in the real world as much as it is applied in the space management section. It is used by the military to control and monitor its cyber space systems as well as its other earth’s satellites (Neufeld & Hall, 2003). Conclusion The AFSSS has also been applied in surveillance over enemy camps or in the cases of suspicion of nuclear weapons in some countries. This is in the real world and it is important in securing the military against potential threats and attacks from special satellite controlled objects. References Chaplian, C., (2010). Space Acquisitions: Development and Oversight Challenges in Delivering Improved Space Situational Awareness Capabilities. Darby: DIANE Publishing. Launius, R., (2012). Exploring the Solar System: The History and Science of Planetary Exploration Palgrave Studies in the History of Science and Technology. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Angelo, J., (2009). Satellites Facts on File science library Frontiers in Space Series. New York: Infobase Publishing. Benton, J., (2008). Air Force Officer's Guide Air Force Officer's Guide Series. Mechanicsburg : Stackpole Books. Chapman, B., (2008). Space Warfare and Defense: A Historical Encyclopedia and Research Guide. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. Hays, P., (2011). Space and Security: A Reference Handbook Contemporary world issues. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. Neufeld. J., & Hall, R., C. (2003). The U.S. Air Force in space, 1945 to the Twenty-First Century: Proceedings, Air Force Historical Foundation Symposium. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office. Read More