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Congressional Appropriation in Support of the Allen Telescope Array (ATA)
July 30, 2008
 U.S. Naval Observatory visits the ATA. Superintendent, Capt. Fred Tettelbach II (3rd from left) & Scientific Director, Dr. Kenneth Johnston, (4th from right) |
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Some recent news stories have erroneously characterized Department of Defense appropriations for the Allen Telescope Array as being intended to fund SETI research. These stories have been either poorly researched or purposely sensationalized. The modest appropriation in question, sponsored by California Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, has been provided to the United States Naval Observatory. It's purpose is not to underwrite the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, but to support the DoD evaluation of ATA technology for potential use in an important defense priority called space situational awareness (SSA). The Defense Department's SSA mission includes finding and tracking stealth satellites or vehicles dispatched to destroy U.S. space assets, and identifying "space junk" that might threaten American satellites. The importance of SSA was highlighted in January, 2007 when, as a demonstration of capability, China deliberately destroyed an orbiting satellite.
This article gives an accurate description of the ATA's role in space situational awareness.