Study of Potential Ionospheric Effects on Space-Based Radars

Abstract

The Air Force and the Navy have considered development of space-based radars for purposes of defense surveillance. System configurations considered include sufficiently low frequencies and grazing angles and sufficiently large apertures (synthetic or otherwise) to require consideration of the effects of the ionosphere on the radar propagation path. Toward this end, the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory hosted a Workshop in which engineering organizations responsible for system design were brought together with research organizations active in identifying and characterizing ionospheric effects to assess the need for and state of relevant knowledge. This report summarizes an assessment of the suitability and limitations of information presented at the Workshop and available from related studies. Dispersive phase, Ionosphere, Radar clutter, Radiowave scintillation, Space-based radar, Synthetic-aperture radar, TEC, Defense surveillance, Total electron content.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 28, 1988
Accession Number
ADA219631

Entities

People

  • E. J. Fremouw
  • J. A. Secan

Organizations

  • Northwest Research Associates

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Backscattering
  • Computer Programs
  • Frequency
  • Geometry
  • Geophysics
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Grazing Angles
  • High Latitudes
  • Ionosphere
  • Line Of Sight
  • Scattering
  • Space Based
  • Surveillance
  • Workshops

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects