VIDEO: Maui Space Surveillance Site Modernization Unveiled

Maui Space Surveillance Center. Photo by Wendy Osher.

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwWby884p6I /] By Wendy Osher

A ceremony was held atop the Summit of Haleakala yesterday, marking the end to a three-year site modernization effort for equipment at the Maui Space Surveillance System.

“The modernization program ensures that the observatory functions for the next decade. You have those core systems that you must have—telephones, networks, computers—those things you can’t do without,” said Lt. Col. Michael Harvey.

“We have the same telescopes that we did before, (but with) new sensors, new CCD technology on the sensors—and it really is setting us up for the next decade plus and beyond,” said Lt. Col. Harvey.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa said the project plays a key role not only for Maui but the international community.

“When we start looking at Maui County and what we can do to be able to stand out in the world—and we are competitors in the world—the telescope gives us the ability to really point out that science and technology are key for our community, and that we are willing to move into the modern world,” said Mayor Arakawa.

The modernization project, Lt. Col. Harvey said, “is going to keep this observatory as a state of the art within the Department of Defense and within the international community for space situational awareness.”

The development of science and technology, Mayor Arakawa said, “all of these things are going to be able to push us forward into the future.”

Maui Space Surveillance Center. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Maui Space Surveillance Center. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Maui Space Surveillance Center. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Maui Space Surveillance Center. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Maui Space Surveillance Center. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Maui Space Surveillance Center. Photo by Wendy Osher.