Sandia Sends Sensors Into Space to Detect Nuclear Blasts Globally
Friday, July 18, 2008 - 13:28
in Astronomy & Space
Imagine you're in charge of a collection of sensors, flying in formation on one of 31 U.S. Air Force satellites in medium Earth orbit. The satellite itself is part of the Air Force's Global Positioning System, which lets truckers, hunters, and lost city drivers know exactly where they are. But from your point of view, the satellites are perfect platforms for a collection of sensors to detect and triangulate airborne or space-based nuclear explosions anywhere they may occur.