[Milsurplus] Navy space radar stn.s

Sat, 27 Apr 2002 18:52:03 -0400

The system you're referring to is the Naval Space Surveillance System
(NAVSPASUR). It is (was?) a stationary radar system strung across the
southern US. A number of transmitters generated a fan-shaped beam, narrow in
the N-S direction and wide E-W, forming a "fence" of RF energy from coast to
coast. When a satellite passed through the fence, it reflected RF energy
which was detected by receivers along the line. Computer processing of
timing and Doppler information contributed to the database of satellite
orbital data maintained by the Space Defense Center, a function of NORAD. I
was a space surveillance officer with NORAD from 1967 to 1971, finishing up
in NORAD's Cheyenne Mountain Complex outside of Colorado Springs (and
actually for a time dated a very pretty WAVE--as they were called
then--officer from NAVSPASUR HQ at Dahlgren, VA). I don't know anything
about NAVSPASUR's current status. Try a Google search on NAVSPASUR or the
full name; now that you've reminded me of it, I'm going to do that myself
right now!

--howard n7exn

> From: "Marty R's GI-stuff haunt" <[email protected]>
> Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2002 15:37:45 -0400 (EDT)
> To: [email protected], [email protected]
> Subject: [Milsurplus] Navy space radar stn.s
> 
> Anyone know these.  There's one in central Ga that's RX-only.  Seems
> there's another 150 around country.
> 
> Rx antennas are 150' long "linear things" that broadside north
> 
> Friend had to pick up a pal at one here & found it was built in early
> 60s to watch other guy's satellites.  Some kinda doppler dealie wherein
> one TX's reflected sig. picked up all over & sig. processing done
> on 'way old computers to improve C/I (SN).
> 
> Now other guy's satellites all on web & site need so far down there's
> no budget.  But Navy still runs 'em off other budgets 'cause they "just
> know there'll be something that they'll do again."
> 
> Anyone know this system?
> 
> Marty
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