Multi-Aperture Geosynchronous (GEO) Imager (MAGI)
Abstract
The goal of the Multi-Aperture Geosynchronous (GEO) Imager (MAGI) program is to demonstrate a segment of a world-wide millimeter wave (MMW) surveillance capability by combining radar and radio astronomy technologies and techniques. By merging interferometric receiving and correlation techniques, used by radio astronomers for decades, with high power narrow-band radar transmitter technologies, MAGI hopes to prove the capability to obtain an order of magnitude improvement in imaging resolution of GEO and near-GEO satellites. A low cost demonstration using the NASA Goldstone X-Band radar and existing radio astronomy assets (the National Radio Astronomy Organization's Very Long Baseline Array) will be conducted to prove the concept at X-band. Based on resolution requirements, the follow-on prototype demonstration will be at MMW (~90GHz) and, to the greatest extent practicable, will utilize COTS MMW antennas and high power narrow-band transmitters. The anticipated transition partner is the Air Force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- 29fcb657119fadf61e486814d0c7aa28