US: Navy Space Surveillance System operational
In 1959, the US Navy activated its initial Space Surveillance System, capable of detecting small orbital objects using radar and later Baker-Nunn cameras. Operated for NORAD until 2004, it transitioned from Navy to Air Force control.
Background
Introduction
The original US Navy Space Surveillance System became operational in 1959. It served to detect satellites and space objects during the Cold War.
Technical Characteristics
From 1960 it worked together with a network of Baker-Nunn cameras, which could make objects the size of a basketball visible at 40,000 km altitude. The radar fence stretched across the southern USA along the 33rd parallel, with transmitters and receivers.
Operation and Transitions
From 1961 until October 2004 the Navy operated it for NORAD. At first independently, then under Naval Space Command (1993–2002) and Naval Network and Space Operations Command (2002–2004), before the Air Force took over.
Significance
The system made real-time monitoring of Soviet satellites possible and contributed to space situational awareness. It demonstrated its capabilities by detecting unknown objects at an early stage.