New interferometry technology sought for keeping an eye on satellites
The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) agency is looking for ground-based imaging technology powerful enough to clearly capture satellites in faraway geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO, according to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Advanced interferometry technology will be the key to rapid and accurate imaging of GEO satellites that travel some 36,000 km above the earth, according to the IARPA broad agency announcement. One solution suggested by the Amon-Hen program is to use many small light apertures, instead of two large ones.
Basic interferometry involves projecting light beams through apertures, usually one beam split into two, at an object, according to NASA. When the beams are reflected off the object and recombine, small differences in their returning phase and amplitude measurements indicate the different “interferences” each wave encountered and help conjure an image of the target object.
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