Space Fence on track for final build-out
- By Defense Systems Staff
- Apr 18, 2012
Raytheon recently completed a comprehensive preliminary design review of its Space Fence system designed to demonstrate the S-band radar's technical maturity in its ability to detect and track the increasing amount of space debris orbiting the Earth, company officials said April 18.
Space debris is extremely hazardous to the increasing number of military and commercial satellites and other space activity in low-and-medium orbit, such as the International Space Station, the officials said.
Held over a three-month period, the design review allowed Air Force officials to evaluate all aspects of the program to ensure design and technology readiness as the acquisition moves into the final phase later this year, the officials said. Work on the current phase of the program, which is being performed under a $107 million contract, is expected to conclude the end of July.