Surface of the Haystack Ultrawideband Satellite Imaging Radar antenna as seen from inside the radome.

Advanced Sensors and Techniques

Our researchers develop and operate sensor systems that discover, track, and characterize satellites in earth orbit to support national security space objectives. Our primary focus is on sensors that provide robust, 24/7, all-weather capability that persists despite hostile actions. We develop data-exploitation and schedule-optimization techniques that operate, in real time, on our own sensors and other space-based and ground-based sensors, including the entire U.S. Space Surveillance Network. Our operators work closely with the military personnel who run national security space missions providing the research staff with an in-house opportunity to test their systems and techniques in a real-world environment.

Featured Projects

Haystack Ultrawideband Satellite Imaging Radar at night
space situational awareness
Lincoln Laboratory created the world's highest-resolution radar for imaging of space objects in support of space situational awareness.
The SST awaits nightfall to be tasked with scanning space from its location atop the Atom Site, a high-altitude observation point in New Mexico that provides a view of the sky that is virtually untouched by light pollution.
space situational awareness
A unique curved focal surface enables a highly sensitive telescope capable of surveying broad swaths of deep space to detect the faintest objects in the night sky.