>>20238087 lb/pb

>A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued for Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, warning of a severe radiation hazard.

Space Fence surveillance radar site declared operational

The $1.5 billion Space Fence can track tiny objects in low Earth orbit as small as a marble.

The $1.5 billion Space Fence — located on Kwajalein Island in the Republic of the Marshall Islands — is a ground-based radar system that tracks satellites and space debris primarily in low Earth orbit.

https://spacenews.com/space-fence-surveillance-radar-site-declared-operational/

The World’s Most Advanced Radar

In March of 2020 the United States Space Force (USSF) declared operational acceptance and initial operational capability of the Space Fence radar on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Space Fence, now the world’s most advanced radar, provides uncued detection, tracking and accurate measurement of space objects, including satellites and orbital debris, primarily in low-earth orbit (LEO). The new radar permits the detection of much smaller microsatellites and debris than current systems.

https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/space-fence.html

How Things Work: Space Fence

The new S-band phased-array radar will have tens of thousands of transmitters and hundreds of thousands of receivers, supported by structures capable of withstanding seismic activity. One of the largest S-band arrays in the world, the receiver alone measures 7,000 square feet. The transmitter is 2,000 square feet. Both will be enclosed in buildings with roofs of electronically transparent Kevlar. Within each element, gallium nitride semiconductors amplify the radar’s power. In a phased array, the elements can be pulsed separately, so the installation will be able to simultaneously search for and track individual objects.

Airspace above the array will be restricted to air travel …

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/how-things-work-space-fence-180957776/

RADIATION SAFETY

One of the hazards associated with maintaining radar equipment is exposure to RFR (Radio Frequency Radiation). Radar peak power may reach a millionwatts or more. Therefore, you must remain aware ofthe RFR hazards that exist near radar transmitting antennas. These hazards are present not only in front ofan antenna but also to its sides and sometimes even behind it because of spillover and reflection. Exposureto excessive amounts of radiation can produce bodilyinjuries ranging from minor to major (Think of how food is cooked in a microwave oven.)

https://firecontrolman.tpub.com/14099/css/Chapter-3-Radar-Safety-55.htm

>>20239903

>Constant Phoenix … reappearing in Australia, was just a coincidence then?

The Air Force took delivery on the third and final WC-135R “Nuke Sniffer” aircraft, completing its transition from its two-aircraft WC-135C/W fleet.

The new fanjet aircraft arrived at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., on Dec. 4.

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-wc-135-nuke-sniffer/

>>20239941

US Air Force WC-135R Constant Phoenix arrived at RAAF Amberley in Australia on Jan. 12.

https://twitter.com/ryankakiuchan/status/1745772647693373900

Constant Phoenix 64-14836 departing Hickam AFB and continuing its OCONUS deployment. The final destination should be RAAF Amberley in Queensland Australia.

https://twitter.com/MeNMyRC1/status/1745546538351222857

Judge rules federal law banning gun possession in post offices unconstitutional

Florida court ruling cites landmark 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Florida ruled Friday that a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling from 2022 made the postal office gun ban illegal.

As part of the decision, she dismissed part of an indictment charging postal worker Emmanuel Ayala with illegally possessing a gun in a federal building. She said the criminal charge violated Ayala’s 2nd Amendment rights.

“The Supreme Court has been clear: the government must point to historical principles that would permit it to prohibit firearms possession in post offices,” wrote Mizelle, an appointee of former President Donald J. Trump.

https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/gun-rights/judge-rules-federal-law-banning-gun-possession-post-offices

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

TAMPA DIVISION

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

v.

EMMANUEL AYALA

Case No: 8:22-cr-369-KKM-AAS

"Possessing a firearm in a Federal facility is an activity that falls within the plain text

of the Second Amendment. "

https://justthenews.com/sites/default/files/2024-01/01122024ayala.pdf

>>20240185

The World’s Most Advanced Radar

In March of 2020 the United States Space Force (USSF) declared operational acceptance and initial operational capability of the Space Fence radar on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Space Fence, now the world’s most advanced radar, provides uncued detection, tracking and accurate measurement of space objects, including satellites and orbital debris, primarily in low-earth orbit (LEO). The new radar permits the detection of much smaller microsatellites and debris than current systems. It also significantly improves the timeliness with which operators can detect space events. The flexibility and sensitivity of the system also provides coverage of objects in geosynchronous orbit while maintaining the surveillance fence.

https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/space-fence.html

>>20240276

> I hope it's not on any bird migration route, poor feathered frens.

Agreed.

" … the radar is expected not to harm birds because exposure times will be short, though personnel will monitor bird activity."

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/how-things-work-space-fence-180957776/

>>20240348

>yeah…

>right

There is not much data available on the impacts upon avians of ground-based radars intended to monitor space, although there was a permanent NOTAM for radiation hazards to aircraft on a nearby (NE USA) over-the-horizon backscatter radar installation for many years.