The “Chinese Compound Eye” project, also known as Fuyan, when operational, will create an array of radar antennas to receive radio signals from distant objects in order to take images and track asteroids that may threaten the Earth.
The Compound Eye project will include more than 100 radars.
The Compound Eye project will include more than 100 radars. (Photo: Beijing Institute of Technology).
Phase two construction works China’s planetary defense radar network that is happening, Space reported on February 19. The first phase includes four 16m diameter radars located near Chongqing, southwest China, and was completed last December. Scientists then received signals from the Moon to test the feasibility of the system and key technologies. The second phase will build 25 radar antennas, each antenna having a diameter of 30m, and is expected to be completed in 2025.
“Once the construction of the second phase is completed, we will be able to observe the asteroid with a diameter of only tens of meters at a distance of 10 million kilometers, including its structure, speed and changes in its orbit. After having been “said Zeng Tao, deputy director of the Radar Technology Research Institute at Beijing Institute of Technology.
Phase 3 will be launched to extend Fuyan’s detection range to 150 million km. The project uses many small arrays to simulate a large-aperture structure, enabling the detection of objects in deep space.
Different from the 500m aperture spherical radio telescope (FAST) in Guizhou Provincethe Compound Eye project works like a bat’s sonar, thanks to electromagnetic waves and echo reception. Multiple radars combine to form a large antenna when active, similar to the compound eyes of an insect. Although the field of view of a single radar is limited, the combination of multiple radars can detect objects in an ultra-wide range.
FAST telescope receive radio signals from targets thousands of light years away, but the Dual Eye system can record asteroids flying near Earth without being affected by light or clouds. This system will act as a surveillance camera, helping to detect objects that threaten satellites or space stations early enough to avoid or destroy them.
Last April, the China National Space Administration announced the development of a planetary defense plan, including tracking near-Earth objects and launching an asteroid redirection test similar to NASA’s DART mission in the coming years.
Article source: VnExpress
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The “Chinese Compound Eye” project, also known as Fuyan, once put into operation, will create an array of radar antennas to receive radio signals from distant objects to…
