DARC - Protecting Space Technology in Orbit
A partnership between the US Space Force, the UK and Australia is working to create a system to monitor objects in geosynchronous orbit over Earth. As we continue to progress in space technology and aerospace engineering, we need to be able to safeguard these investments from space junk and spy satellites that might threaten them.
Geosynchronous satellites maintain the same position over Earth by maintaining a constant speed relative to the orbit of the planet. Many satellites operate around 20-22,000 miles above the Earth's surface where space junk and.apy satellites threaten them on a regular basis. This is a threat to investment, engineering progress and design overall.
Many satellites, and spy satellites in particular, pose a threat to commerical satellites. In addition, space junk poses a threat to manned missions and the ISS itself. Monitoring of objects in orbit and being able to categorize them as threats is the goal of the deep space advanced radar capability project, called DARC.
DARC is a ground radar array system in three locations that can identify and classify items and satellites in orbit that could pose a threat. This array of satellite is on track to be completed in 2030 at a cost of $1 billion. I am excited to see this being considered and believe it offers stability and value to projects that will send new space stations and platforms into orbit. The Space Force continues to innovate and create value as well, which will contribute to more innovations in aerospace technology.
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