SATELLITE DEFENSE SYSTEM
A satellite defense system based on quantum dot technology (Nanowerk Spotlight) successfully tested an Anti-satellite (ASAT) missile system by destroying their own defunct LEO satellite, which generated huge amounts of space debris. This ASAT test raised world wide concerns about the vulnerability of satellites and other space assets and possibility of triggering an arms race in space. In order to meet emerging challenges posed by such ASAT missile systems, military strategists and researchers are developing novel technologies to protect their space assets. In view of the above, Raytheon Company has developed a counter measure system using quantum dots to protect space assets such as satellites from missile attacks. They have developed a decoy consisting of quantum dots of different sizes and shapes that are engineered to emit radiation having a radiation profile similar to that of the asset.
These quantum dots can be engineered to produce any kind of spectral signature by mixing different kinds (InSb, PbTe, HgTe, HgSe, CdTe, CdSe and CdS) and sizes in the required ratio so as to mimic the exact spectral signature of the target.
Emission range of various quantum dot materials: Left end of each bar represents the resonant emission peak corresponding to a quantum dot of 3 nm size and the right end corresponds to the same material in bulk. The researchers propose that such a mixture of quantum dots, when dispersed like a cloud in space, may act as an efficient decoy, making even the advanced sensor devices unable to differentiate between the target and the decoy. A schematic of a counter measure system employing quantum dots to divert the missile attack from a spacecraft or a satellite. As can be seen, the space asset that is to be protected is monitored for threats by a ground tracking system which sends early warnings about a detected missile to the space control centers which in turn can activate the guardian satellite (a nanosatellite of less than 100 kg) orbiting in the co-orbit of the space asset. Upon activation the guardian satellite releases the cloud of quantum dots so as to trick the missile into seeking the decoy instead of the protected asset.
Schematic of a countermeasure system: Anti-satellite weapon seeks the decoy cloud of quantum dots instead of the target satellite. Besides the above said set-up, this counter measure system employing quantum dots can also be implemented in any communication set-up that uses different sensors and warning systems.
A satellite defense system based on quantum dot technology (Nanowerk Spotlight) successfully tested an Anti-satellite (ASAT) missile system by destroying their own defunct LEO satellite, which generated huge amounts of space debris. This ASAT test raised world wide concerns about the vulnerability of satellites and other space assets and possibility of triggering an arms race in space. In order to meet emerging challenges posed by such ASAT missile systems, military strategists and researchers are developing novel technologies to protect their space assets. In view of the above, Raytheon Company has developed a counter measure system using quantum dots to protect space assets such as satellites from missile attacks. They have developed a decoy consisting of quantum dots of different sizes and shapes that are engineered to emit radiation having a radiation profile similar to that of the asset.
These quantum dots can be engineered to produce any kind of spectral signature by mixing different kinds (InSb, PbTe, HgTe, HgSe, CdTe, CdSe and CdS) and sizes in the required ratio so as to mimic the exact spectral signature of the target.
Emission range of various quantum dot materials: Left end of each bar represents the resonant emission peak corresponding to a quantum dot of 3 nm size and the right end corresponds to the same material in bulk. The researchers propose that such a mixture of quantum dots, when dispersed like a cloud in space, may act as an efficient decoy, making even the advanced sensor devices unable to differentiate between the target and the decoy. A schematic of a counter measure system employing quantum dots to divert the missile attack from a spacecraft or a satellite. As can be seen, the space asset that is to be protected is monitored for threats by a ground tracking system which sends early warnings about a detected missile to the space control centers which in turn can activate the guardian satellite (a nanosatellite of less than 100 kg) orbiting in the co-orbit of the space asset. Upon activation the guardian satellite releases the cloud of quantum dots so as to trick the missile into seeking the decoy instead of the protected asset.
Schematic of a countermeasure system: Anti-satellite weapon seeks the decoy cloud of quantum dots instead of the target satellite. Besides the above said set-up, this counter measure system employing quantum dots can also be implemented in any communication set-up that uses different sensors and warning systems.
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