Posted on 04/14/2011 10:56:17 AM PDT by LibWhacker
DARPA-developed Space Surveillance Telescope is supposed to see objects in deep space like no ground-based system before it
You can bet that if there are little red aliens running around on Mars or spaceships patrolling other planet in our solar system for that matter, a recently powered-up telescope built by the researchers at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency might just be able to see them.
The Air Force, which operates the DARPA-developed Space Surveillance Telescope (SST) says the telescope's design, featuring unique image-capturing technology known as a curved charge coupled device (CCD) system, as well as very wide field-of-view, large-aperture optics, doesn't require the long optics train of a more traditional telescopes. The design makes the SST less cumbersome on its moveable mount, enabling it to survey the sky rapidly, the Air Force says. The telescope's mount uses advanced servo-control technology, making the SST one of the most agile telescopes of its size ever built.
More on cool telescopes: Amazing telescopes produce hot space images
"The SST will give us in a matter of nights the space surveillance data that current telescopes take weeks or months to provide," said Air Force Lt. Col. Travis Blake, DARPA's Space Surveillance Telescope program manager in a statement.
From DARPA: "Beyond providing faster data collection, the SST is very sensitive to light, which allows it to see faint objects in deep space that currently are impossible to observe. The detection and tracking of faint objects requires a large aperture and fast optics. The SST uses a 3.5 meter primary mirror, which is large enough to achieve the desired sensitivity. The system is an f/1.0 optical design, with a large-area mosaic CCD camera constructed from the curved imagers and a high-speed shutter allowing for fast scanning at the high sensitivity."
The SST has a number of missions, watching for debris in low earth orbit to help existing satellites avoid collisions chief among them, it also tracks objects in deep space and offers astronomers a wide-angle lens to take astronomical surveys of stars and comets, DARPA says.
DARPA says the SST developed its first images earlier this year and is still undergoing tests.
One of these things would make a GREAT spy satellite.
Quick -— tell that democrat congressperson (what was her name?) so she can look for where Neil Armstrong planted our flag.
If beings on Mars stay on Mars then why call them aliens?
They are only aliens if they come here.
I’m sure if they make the trip to Earth some Dem will put a label on them simlilar to “Undocumented Interstellar Travelers”
And they won’t be allowed to work here because........
A “Green Card” would be racist.
GMTA
Shirley Jackson Lee??
DARPA does not develop things for civilians to look at Mars. This will be pointed earthward.
Sheila Jackson Lee.
The first person who posts a pic of pelosi or Helen Thomas wins.
Sheila Jackson Lee
Doncha ya spose a 3.5 Meter mirror is firmly planted on the ground?
“DARPAs newly developed Space Surveillance Telescope (SST) aims to change that, ushering in a new era of ground-based space surveillance technology “
Sheila Jackson Lee
I reckon so (and confess a reading comprehension glitch). Nevertheless, DARPA is not engaged in development of civilian projects and is not interested in 'looking at Mars' (yet). We must presume a near-earth military application.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.