Ground Based Sensors (U)
(U) These systems are ground-based space environmental monitoring sensors that are either operational, in development, or being studied. Accurate, timely space environmental data are required to support missions such as missile warning, space surveillance, and satellite operations. There's currently a requirement for scintillation forecast products to support MILSATCOM users. Scintillation degrades radio frequency signals which results in either noisy voice communications and errors in data transmissions, or no communications at all. Scintillation is a naturally-occurring phenomenon that's more disruptive during specific times of the day. It tends to be more prevalent in the hours just before sunset and in the equatorial region, but can disrupt communications globally. Disturbed ionospheric conditions and scintillation can inhibit the ability to discriminate between warheads and decoys and can interfere with satellite communications and navigation. Geomagnetic storms can cause false launch indications and affect satellite tracking efforts. The 50th Weather Squadron requires data at frequent intervals and in near-real-time to meet mission requirements using their specification and forecast models.
Related Initiatives (U):
Name Title ISOON Improved Solar Observing Optical Network (ISOON) SCINDA Scintillation Network Decision Aid (SCINDA) SFIR Swept Frequency Interferometric Radiometer (SFIR) SRBL Solar Radio Burst Locator (SRBL) This Table Is Unclassified. Related Categories (U):
Name Title Space-Based Warning Space-Based Warning Systems This Table Is Unclassified. Road Map Placements (U):
Name Title ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SPACE FORCE ENHANCEMENT: ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING This Table Is Unclassified. Requirements, Funding and Additional Hotlinks (U):
(U) None.
Date Of Information (U):
(U) 21 November 1997
(U) Road Map Production Date: 12 July 1999
