Gestra radar is capable of sleeping over 200 objects per hour: how will it help the military

The German experimental radar of space surveillance and tracking notice even space debris - great threats will not miss. The unique Gestra space surveillance system has recently been commissioned and was able to detect more than 200 objects every 60 minutes during the first tests, Military Aerospace reports.

The German experimental radar of space observation and tracking (German Experimental Surveillance and Tracking Radar - Gestra) was developed at the Institute of High Frequency Physics and Radar Fraunhofer (FHR) on behalf of the German Aerospace Center (Nat). His trials started in December 2023, but only now scientists have decided to share the results of the experiments.

According to the Nat, the Gestra Space radar is equipped with transmitting and receiving antennas, consisting of 256 individual elements each. Their radar waves can regulate and form a phased lattice (a phased antenna lattice is able to direct radiation and form a diagram of this orientation by regulating the amplitude-phase distribution of currents or excitation fields on radiation elements-ed. ).

"The elements of the transmission antenna are controlled by an extremely powerful amplifier, so the antenna about 4 m long has a huge total output power. The receiving antenna elements can be combined in real time with special processor blocks. This allows two antennas to change the inspection direction for several milliseconds," It is in the material. In addition, radar antennas can be mechanically possible by means of a rotating rack.

A separate water cooling system for each antenna element improves the efficiency of the entire system and increases its sensitivity. As a result of Getra, even small objects, such as space debris, can be fixed, not to mention major air threats. The transmitter and receiver are placed in two separate containers, which allows them to be placed in different places. This combination of mobility, digital technologies and performance makes Getra unique.