New Radar Technology Developed by DARPA Accidentally, with SpaceX's Collaboration in Rocketry
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has made an exciting breakthrough with its AtmoSense program. This innovative initiative aims to use Earth's atmosphere as a global sensor, monitoring subtle atmospheric disturbances caused by seismic events and other activities[1][2].
Recently, the team behind AtmoSense made an unexpected discovery while analyzing sensor data. They found that the phenomenon of a sudden drop in total electron content is highly repeatable with SpaceX rocket reentries[3]. This discovery opened a new avenue for space situational awareness and tracking objects in near-Earth space without relying solely on radar or satellite observations.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, known as the hardest working rocket in the game, was the object of interest in this discovery. During a recent test, AtmoSense was used to trace the sound waves and electromagnetic disturbances caused by the Falcon 9 rocket as it reentered the Earth's atmosphere[4][5].
The Falcon 9 rocket, a partially reusable, two-stage rocket that has launched over 450 missions, was heading towards its landing site at the time of detection by AtmoSense[6]. After a controlled landing, the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket can be recovered and reused[7].
The sudden drop in total electron content, caused by the rocket plummeting through the atmosphere, can be compared to a sudden decrease in water flow when an obstruction is placed in a hose[8]. This drop puzzled the team initially, but further analysis revealed its connection to the reentry of SpaceX rockets.
This new technique discovered by AtmoSense for identifying reentering objects could have significant implications for national security and other applications. DARPA hopes to use AtmoSense to trace underground explosions or other national security threats[9].
In the upcoming virtual workshop from April 15 to 17, the researchers behind AtmoSense will present the most recent results from the program[10]. The potential effectiveness of AtmoSense in detecting large-scale disturbances, such as the reentry of SpaceX rockets, will be a key topic of discussion.
AtmoSense measures acoustic and electromagnetic waves to trace disturbances on Earth, demonstrating the potential of this program in expanding our understanding of the Earth's atmosphere and improving our ability to detect and track objects in space.
References: 1. AtmoSense 2. DARPA leverages Earth's atmosphere as a global sensor 3. AtmoSense Discovers New Method for Tracking Reentering Objects 4. SpaceX Falcon 9 5. Falcon 9 6. Falcon 9 Landings 7. Falcon 9 Reusability 8. AtmoSense Discovers New Method for Tracking Reentering Objects 9. DARPA's AtmoSense program aims to trace underground explosions or other national security threats 10. AtmoSense Virtual Workshop
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