THE THEORY OF STELLAR RADAR
Abstract
Devices which can detect and track objects in space passively, without the need for active RF emanations from earth, have potential value in military operations because they give tactical information without revealing their own locations. The possibility of passive detection and tracking of objects in space near the earth by using the radio frequency energy from the sun and from certain radio stars is considered. Whether or not the computed detection ranges for possible stellar radars compare with those of mediumpower active radars was considered. On the basis of available data they do not. As a surveillance device for the reasonably near future, the stellar or solar radars are apparently only useful in situations which absolutely preclude active RF emanation and where modest detection ranges are valuable. Substantially greater ranges could be achieved if cross-correlation detectors having -80 db detection sensitivity or greater were to be developed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0284268
Entities
People
- Glenn W. Preston
Organizations
- RAND Corporation