National Science Foundation Awards a Grant to SRI International for Upper Atmospheric Research Radar Facility.

Business Editors/Science Writers

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 26, 2003

Independent research institute SRI International today announced it has been awarded a four-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to lead the development of the Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar (AMISR), a modular, mobile radar facility. Scientists and students from around the world will use the radar to conduct studies of the rapidly changing upper atmosphere and to observe space weather events, which can damage and interrupt satellite and electronic communications and even knock out power grids. By facilitating better scientific understanding of upper atmospheric phenomena, the AMISR is expected to help prevent potentially large economic losses.

The AMISR, a three-faced structure, will be constructed in two stages over the next four years at a total cost of $44M with first year funding for the project set at $14M. The radar's novel, modular configuration will allow it to be disassembled and moved so that the radar can be used to study different types of upper atmospheric activity across the globe. No other radar of this size in the world can be routinely relocated. In addition, remote operation and electronic beam steering will let researchers anywhere in the world operate and position the radar beam instantaneously to accurately measure rapidly changing space weather effects.

The first face of the AMISR, a 32-square meter surface comprised of 128 building block-like panels, will be constructed in Poker Flat, Alaska, over the next 18 months. When construction of the Alaskan facility is finished, the remaining two faces will be built in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, Canada. When these two initial deployments are complete, NSF will determine subsequent locations based on input from the scientific community. Since each face of the AMISR functions independently, the AMISR can be deployed in up to three separate locations at the same time.

The idea of AMISR was born 15 years ago when a group of scientists gathered at SRI's Menlo Park, California headquarters. "We met to discuss the need for advanced instrumentation to address critical questions in ionospheric research," said John Kelly, program director at SRI's Center for GeoSpace Studies, who was present at the meeting. "Current radar systems were, and still are, limited, so we realized that we needed a better radar." The AMISR project represents the culmination of years of work toward this goal.

"Mankind's increased reliance on space-based systems makes it imperative that we develop a better understanding of this highly complex and variable environment; AMISR is a key instrument to help us develop that understanding," Kelly, who will serve as project leader, continued. "Because the phenomena we study change so rapidly, you need to be able to steer and adjust the radar almost instantaneously. Since AMISR's radar beam can be moved easily and quickly, it will allow us to answer questions previously impossible to address." For example, this rapid steering will allow researchers to produce three-dimensional images of the clouds of plasma that are driven about the upper atmosphere through interactions with the solar wind. "We know that these clouds -- sources of interruptions to satellite communications -- evolve as they move, but current technologies don't allow us to actually measure that evolution to get at the basic physics behind the changes," Kelly explained. "In addition, with current systems, measurements are compromised by the two minutes or more it takes to mechanically adjust the radar's position -- AMISR removes this issue. It's a big step forward in atmospheric research."

SRI will lead the design and construction of the facility and will oversee operations and use during design verification tests. Subcontractor Sanmina-SCI will manufacture the Antenna Element Units, the basic building blocks of the radar panels. VECO Alaska Inc. will oversee design and structural engineering of the radar, including the panels and support scaffolding. Co-investigator institutions include MIT Millstone Hill, Stanford University, the University of Alaska and the University of Western Ontario.

When construction and initial testing is complete, AMISR will be available for use by the larger scientific community. At that time, SRI will host workshops to teach researchers how to take advantage of the capabilities of the new design.

About SRI International

Silicon Valley-based SRI International (http://www.sri.com) is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded as Stanford Research Institute in 1946, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of clients for more than 55 years. The nonprofit research institute performs contract research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses and nonprofit foundations. In addition to conducting contract R&D, SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships and creates spin-off companies.

SRI's Center for GeoSpace Studies researches the fundamental processes governing the nature of the upper atmosphere and space environment. These studies involve experiments using incoherent scatter radar, satellite and optical instruments, and radiowave diagnostics. Under the auspices of the NSF, SRI's Center operates, manages, and conducts research at facilities in Sondrestrom, Greenland, and the Resolute Bay Early Polar Cap Observatory in Canada.

On August 25-29, the Center will host the EISCAT (European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association) 2003 International Radar Workshop. More information about the meeting and the Incoherent Scatter Radar School, which will precede it, is available at http://isr.sri.com/iono/eiscat2003/index.html.