What is stealth technology
Stealth is a set of methods to reduce the visibility of combat vehicles in
Most radio waves can only be absorbed inсантиметровом диапазоне. В силу физики распространения радиоволн сделать объект малозаметным в метровом диапазоне, когда длина волны сравнима с собственными размерами объекта, изменением его формы в принципе невозможно.
Also, at the current level of technology, it is impossible to achieve complete absorption of any radio radiation falling on an objectat any angle.
Therefore, at present, the main goal when choosingthe shape of the object, reflect the waves away from the emitter - thus, part of the signal is absorbed by special coatings, and the rest is reflected so that the radio echo does not return to the observing radar.
Why making a satellite invisible is difficult
The following facts of objective reality speak against stealth in space:
- The vacuum has the highest possible transparency.
- The background is either 4 K (relic radiation) or predictable (stars).
- A ship inevitably radiates the heat generated within it and reflects or re-radiates sunlight. Especially when he maneuvers.
- The sensitivity of modern telescopes is enough to take a picture of Voyager beyond Pluto's orbit.
Vulnerability to modern detection tools
For most combat and specialauxiliary vehicles created using stealth technologies do not have independent data on the value of the effective scattering surface (ESR) in various ranges, since an expert assessment of this information can increase their vulnerability.
Some of the data on the detectability of such vehicles is based on theoretical estimates, therefore, all estimates of the values of the signature of subtle military vehicles should be treated with a high degree of caution.
Stealth satellite from SpaceX
In June 2020, SpaceX launched satellites with a special stealth coating into space to test its operation: it was designed to “hide” the satellites from telescopes.
One of the satellites tested a special anti-glare visor. It is expected that the updated design will solve the problem of reflection of sunlight by a constellation of satellites.
Astronomers have repeatedly complained about the interference in the observation of space objects created by her presence in orbit.
The new development is designed to improve observations ofouter space and only therefore blocks some signals from satellites, however, perhaps the new development was only the first step and American scientists will develop this direction.
Russian patented stealth technologies for satellites
Russian enterprises conducted researchthe use of a radio-absorbing coating for spacecraft, which should reduce the visibility of Russian satellites for radars, the material says.
The article presents the results of experimental studies of the properties resistant to abnormally high and abnormally low temperatures of samples of the VTMV-1S radio-absorbing material.
In particular, the website states that radio-absorbing materials are used to counter foreign technical intelligence and precision weapon guidance systems.
The equipment disguised with the use of our products literally disappears from the radar screens, the developers note.
In addition, Roscosmos received a patent fora spacecraft that can change its shape. By changing the area of the reflective surface of solar panels, such devices can become invisible to foreign spy satellites.
Thus, it will be possible to screenspacecraft, changing its reflective qualities relative to the laser radiation of the spy. When someone else's companion passes by, the panels can be deployed again.
Chinese coating that absorbs 80% of radar radiation
China is working on stealth technology forspace. There are many ideas, from painting satellites black, coating them with graphene, to moving them in the radar shadow of space debris. The main problem is not to make the satellite invisible, but to hide it from radars.
Scientists from the Changchun Institute of Optics, Precisionmechanics and physics located in Nanjing. Using composite materials with the inclusion of paper and plastic, the researchers created a multi-layer honeycomb structure capable of absorbing up to 80% of the radar radiation in the entire frequency range used today.
The weight of the coating is reduced to 6 kg per 1 m2, which is significantly less than that of existing modern materials for radar invisibility.
They also created a transparent radar stealth coating for solar panels with a thickness of only 3 mm, but it remains resistant to bending and withstands shocks.
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