Malabar Test Facility
The OL-AG, Phillips Laboratory's mission is to perform
real-time tracking of space objects, to use various sensors to
study the effects of physical phenomena on space vehicles, to
develop and test new sensors and electrooptical devices, and
to provide tracking support for Kennedy Space Center(KSC)
and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) launches.
The Malabar test facility was opened in the early 1960s to study
lasers and laser effects. Subsequently, it was transferred to the
Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO) in 1978, Air
Force Space Technology Center (AFSTC) in 1984, and Phillips Laboratory in 1990,
where it now supports all DoD customers in the setup, evaluation, and performance
of a wide range of electrooptical experiments. The primary resources of OL-AG,
Phillips Laboratory include two optical trackers, two laser transmitters, a large
computer system, and image and data processing capabilities to support such
missions as launches from KSC and the Eastern Test Range, offshore operations,
and on-orbit observations.
Primary facilities include
R1, a 1.2-m visible telescope with four focal points from f/2.5 to f/100;
R2, a 0.6-m mid-wave infrared(MWIR) with a coaxially mounted 0.25-meter f/5 long-wave infrared(LWIR). The optics of the 0.6-m are capable of visible and ultraviolet (UV)operations;
T1, a 0.6-m a focal beam director with 6x expansion capability; used for visible and MWIR operations;
T2, a 0.76-m a focal beam director with 10x beam expansion; used for LWIR;
T-3, a penta-mirror laser beam director currently under design with 0.2-m and 0.6-m apertures;
Building 00042, the main site operations area with offices for 34 people;
Building 0062, the location of the PBX, optics laboratory, and site computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and engineering activities;
Building 00049
RESOURCES
http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/track/malabar.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Thursday, July 17, 1997 10:59:06 AM