Mission
Monitors real-time solar radio interference space weather data supporting national agencies and DoD operators, warfighters, and decision makers.
Key Functions
As part of the Solar Electro-Optical Network (SEON), the Radio Solar Telescope Network (RSTN) observatories provide timely, accurate solar alerts and analyses of the Sun's radio emission 24/7, 365 days a year. Solar Analysts monitor the Radio Interference Measurement Set (RIMS) and Solar Radio Spectrograph (SRS).
Features
The RIMS antenna system consists of three parabolic reflectors (commonly known as dishes”) mounted on two antenna pedestals. The three dishes measure 3 feet, 8 feet, and 28 feet in diameter. The RIMS are designed to monitor discrete frequencies critical to DoD operations.
The SRS differs from discrete frequency (RIMS) radiometers in instrumentation, theory of operation, and type of activity observed. The SRS detects solar radio frequency emissions across a range of frequencies. The SRS consists of two antennas: the Semi-Bicone antenna and Log-Periodic antenna.
When solar radio energy is observed to exceed known threshold levels, solar analysts transmit burst and/or sweep burst reports to the 2d Weather Squadron’s Space Weather Operations Center (SpWOC), located at the 557th Weather Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, NE. The SpWOC provides mission-tailored analyses, forecasts, and warnings used for mission planning and environmental situational awareness by national agencies, Department of Defense operators, warfighters, and decision makers.
Deployed Locations
The RSTN network is operated and maintained by 2d Weather Squadron personnel at four radio telescope sites around the globe:
· Detachment 1, Learmonth, Australia
· Detachment 2, Sagamore Hill, Massachusetts
· Detachment 5, Kaena Point, Hawaii
· Contract Site, San Vito, Italy
(Current as of August 2022)