Mission
Monitors real-time solar radio interference space weather data supporting national agencies and DoD operators, warfighters and decision makers.
Key Functions
Network provides 24/7 monitoring of the Sun.
As part of the Solar Electro-Optical Network, the Radio Solar Telescope Network observatories provide timely, accurate solar alerts and analyses of the Sun's radio emission.
Solar Analysts monitor the Radio Interference Measurement Set and Solar Radio Spectrograph.
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 SRS differs from discrete frequency radiometers in instrumentation, theory of operation and type of activity observed.
When solar radio energy is observed to exceed known threshold levels, solar analysts transmit burst and/or sweep burst reports to the 2nd Weather Squadron’s Space Weather Operations Center, located at the 557th Weather Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, NE. The SpaceWOC 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 2nd Weather Squadron’s RSTN network consists of five radio telescope sites around the globe:
- Detachment 1, Learmonth, Australia
- Detachment 2, Sagamore Hill, Massachusetts
- Detachment 3, San Vito, Italy
- Detachment 4, Holloman AFB, New Mexico
- Detachment 5, Kaena Point, Hawaii
Manufacturer: UNK
RIMS Dish Dimensions
Dish 1 diameter: 3’
Dish 2 diameter: 8’
Dish 3 diameter: 28’
Unit Cost: UNK
Date Deployed: UNK
(Current as of Aug. 2018)