RAF Fylingdales News

Keeping Space Safe

KEEPING SPACE SAFE - ROYAL AIR FORCE FYLINGDALES WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK OVER CHRISTMAS

Whilst Santa’s elves are working hard and most working people are taking a break over the festive season, staff at Royal Air Force Fylingdales will be working 24/7.

The ballistic missile early warning station can track objects in space up to 3000 nautical miles away, the RADAR operators are able to see the International Space Station and objects as small as a can of coke, or Christmas cracker.

Vigilamus is the Station motto and translates as ‘we are watching’, our military and civilian operators do this 365 days a year providing a continuous watch over space. The Solid State Phased Array RADAR is one of many sensors that tracks space debris and enables satellites to operate safely, it replaced the icons of the moors, the three mechanical golf balls 26 years ago. The pyramid has now become a famous landmark on the road to Whitby.

Wing Commander Alun Walton said:

‘RAF Fylingdales is proud to provide security for the UK and this doesn’t stop during the Christmas period. The close relationship between military and civilian staff continues in order to maintain the Station’s operational output. Not least tracking Santa on Christmas Eve.’

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