First USSF SDA Site In Chile Strengthens Space Security
by U.S. Space Force Connie Dillon,
Space Base Delta 1
May 26, 2023
The collaborative efforts between the
Chilean Air Force, U.S. Southern Command, and U.S. Space Command to
advance combined space domain awareness, came to fruition when the
half-meter class telescope, typically referred to as a “Raven-class”
telescope, was implemented on Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta,
Chile on March 27, 2023.
From left, U.S. Space Force Capt. Justin Lee, 15th Space Surveillance Squadron Raven telescope lead, and Chilean Air Force Lt. Alonso Vasquez conduct testing for the Raven telescope at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile
on March 27, 2023. The Raven telescope is the U.S. Space Force’s first space domain awareness system in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, and it’s the first step to the Chilean Air Force Chief of Staff formally inviting USSOUTHCOM and USSPACECOM to collaborate in the development of combined space domain awareness. (Image created by USA
Patriotism! from U.S. Space Force photo by Space Base Delta 1.)
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The 15th Space Surveillance Squadron, a
unit under Space Delta 2 - Space Domain Awareness, and the Space
Systems Command’s Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power office
worked alongside the Chilean Air Force to stand up the first
operational SDA system in the U.S. Southern Command area of
responsibility.
“The Chilean Air Force has expressed
interest in significantly increasing their involvement in space and
this is a fantastic first step for Chile in establishing their own
permanent SDA capabilities,” said U.S. Space Force Capt. Justin Lee,
15 SPSS Raven telescope lead, who oversaw the installation of the
telescope. “Diverse geographic coverage is critical to ensuring that
we have coverage of all objects in space.”
Increasing launch
cadence and payloads in orbit expand demand for SDA capabilities
covering all orbital regimes. In 2022, space launch providers around
the world conducted a record 177 launches, a 31% increase over the
previous year. Those launches put 2,267 payloads into orbit, a 32%
increase over 2021.
The telescope is part of a pilot program
where the Chilean Air Force, in conjunction with the USSF, will
implement a station to monitor the Chilean sky for space objects.
The pilot program is designed to reduce the risks of a potential
$3.8 million U.S. investment in non-traditional SDA systems in the
SOUTHCOM AOR by validating optical sensors in the local conditions
and geography of Chile. According to Lee, Chile’s physical
environment is a premier location for the ground-based telescope.
“The combination of extremely dry climate, very tall mountains,
and smooth laminar flow in the atmosphere allows for many locations
that have viewing conditions rivaled by few places in the world,”
said Lee. “The Atacama Desert is the driest place on the planet,
with some locations having never seen a drop of rain in recorded
history. It’s tough to beat that kind of weather for a telescope
observatory.”
Members from the 15th Space Surveillance Squadron and Chilean Air Force assemble a dome shutter for the Raven telescope at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile
on March 27, 2023. The Raven telescope is part of a pilot program where the Chilean Air Force, in conjunction with the U.S. Space Force, will implement a station to monitor the Chilean sky for space objects. (Image created by USA
Patriotism! from U.S. Space Force photo by Space Base Delta 1.)
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Lt. Col. Phillip Wagenbach, 15 SPSS
commander, explained that the 15 SPSS and the Space Domain Awareness
and Combat Power office will continue to operate the telescope
system during the next six to 12 months with support from Chilean
Air Force personnel, solidifying the U.S. government and government
of Chile’s commitment to ensuring space security.
“This
initial step paves the way for future permanent SDA systems being
installed in Chile and forges a stronger international partnership
going forward,” said Wagenbach.
Lee added that the program’s
success depended on the partnerships and contributions of mission
partners on the U.S. side to include Space Systems Command, Air
Force Research Laboratory, and the United States Air Force Academy.
The Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power office provided and
configured their autonomous telescope control software and assisted
in telescope assembly, calibration, and testing. The United States
Air Force Academy provided a 12.5-foot dome for temporary use which
will move to the Catholic University of the North in 2024.
“This program is a prime example of the value that comes from the
partnership between the organizations,” said Lee. “It’s truly unique
to have such a tight coupling between research, systems program
office, and operations … it makes things like this possible that
never would have been otherwise.”
This telescope system will
be leveraged to experiment with new sensing modalities and
techniques and serve as a testbed for the Space Domain Awareness and
Combat Power office’s software. The software utilizes a global
network of dedicated and volunteer observatories to enable next
generation space domain awareness, as well as leverages
collaborative heterogeneous sensors by employing agent-based
autonomy, deep learning, and modern software infrastructure tools.
Expended rocket bodies, inactive satellites, and debris
further congest the environment. In 2022, DEL 2 tracked
approximately 47,900 objects in space, a 16% growth in objects from
2021. Of those objects, 7,100 are active payloads, a 37% increase
from 2021.
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