#United States #Arizona #LeoLabs #Space Threats #Radar Technology

LeoLabs Enhances Space Threat Detection with New Radar

LeoLabs, a leading company in mission-oriented orbital intelligence, has announced the launch of its seventh operational radar site in Arizona. This latest installation marks a major advancement in their capabilities to monitor and respond to increasing threats in space. The newly introduced Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radar is set to significantly enhance the company's ability to detect, locate, and track potentially hostile objects in Earth’s low orbital environments.

The Role of the New UHF Radar

The UHF Planar Direct Radiating Array (DRA) radar represents the forefront of radar technology, specifically designed to improve object detection, tracking, and analysis in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO). By integrating this new radar with their existing global network, LeoLabs aims to create a robust framework for maintaining continuous custody of highly maneuverable space objects, as well as tracking non-cooperative launches.

This radar system offers a unique 3D pulse Doppler capability, enabling it to scan for objects in two dimensions, thereby extending its observational range. With the capability to track over 9,500 objects in real-time, the Arizona site acts not only as a monitoring hub but also as a testing ground for future developments.

Addressing Growing Space Threats

The proliferation of satellites and the increasing interest in space exploration have raised concerns about potential collisions and other adversarial activities in orbit. LeoLabs’ new radar technology will play a critical role in responding to these challenges, particularly in maintaining real-time awareness of space activity and ensuring the safety and security of orbital operations.

Florida-based LeoLabs CEO, Tony Frazier, emphasized the significance of this development, stating, "This rapidly fielded radar technology will play an important role in how LeoLabs delivers on our vision to be the leading mission partner for persistent Orbital Intelligence."

The Arizona site's capabilities extend beyond mere surveillance. It is also a precursor to potential advancements in detecting missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles, marking a pivotal point in the evolution of space surveillance technologies.

Funding and Development

The construction of the Arizona radar site was expedited thanks to partial funding from a 2023 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award from AFWERX, catering to U.S. Space Force requirements. The site was operational within a record duration of less than five months and is already providing vital data streams on orbital threats to LeoLabs' clients.

The design of the UHF DRA radar is modular and cost-efficient, allowing for scalability to enhance its sensitivity and coverage for various space domain awareness missions. LeoLabs is strategically planning for the rapid global deployment of this radar technology to address critical gaps in orbital surveillance for its customers.

LeoLabs’ Growing Global Network

Currently, LeoLabs operates an extensive radar network with 11 operational radars distributed across seven global sites, covering both hemispheres and equatorial regions. Additional sites are in various stages of development to expand this vital network.

The launch of the UHF radar is part of a broader strategy to fortify the company's position in the growing fields of Space Domain Awareness and Space Traffic Management.

For more information about LeoLabs and their revolutionary radar technology, visit LeoLabs.