Whats this really for?

[sublight]

Meet the new "Space Surveillance Telescope". http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/darpas-new-telescope-could-see-aliens-mars

They say its for tracking space debris, but doesn't the space fence do that already?

 

[Michel Van]

I don't know who or Wat a "the space fence" is
but if that NASA, the Answer is easy:
NASA = civil
USAF = Military
in this case SST is use to track enemy sat in Orbit

 

[sublight]

The space fence = Air Force Space Surveillance System, formerly run by the Navy, it was called NAVSPASUR (Naval Space Surveillance). It sees objects as small as four inches currently but there are contracts to develop a higher resolution version.

So I am guessing the existence of the "Space Surveillance Telescope" means other countries have viable stealth satellites or other low RCS platforms that pose a threat?

 

[Michel Van]

It sees objects as small as four inches currently but there are contracts to develop a higher resolution version.

So I am guessing the existence of the "Space Surveillance Telescope" means other countries have viable stealth satellites or other low RCS platforms that post a threat?

There Ain't No Stealth In Space
http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/spacewardetect.php#There_Ain't_No_Stealth_In_Space

so SST is used for detect space debris in Orbit, Wat is vital for USAF Sat
would be bad if brand new spysat is hit by space debris in camera...

 

[sublight]

There Ain't No Stealth In Space

If the X37 carries a load of very small disposable microsats it dumps while in orbit, wouldn't those be "stealthy" and in "space"?