Precision Testing and Tracking at Tonopah Test Range

TLDRTonopah Test Range in Nevada has been the primary location for ballistics and non-nuclear testing for over 60 years. It is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, including radars, telescopes, and tracking mounts, to provide precise tracking and data collection for various missions. The range covers 280 square miles and is operated by the US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

Key insights

🚀Tonopah Test Range was established in 1957 by Sandia Corporation for the Atomic Energy Commission's testing purposes.

📡The range is equipped with three radars that provide situational awareness information for aircraft safety and focus slaving data for instrumentation.

🌍Spanning over 280 square miles, Tonopah Test Range includes various facilities such as bunkers, high bays, and housing for testing and R&D purposes.

📹Telescopes and tracking mounts, including the M16 Tracking Telescope and Gimbal Tracking Mount, capture high-speed digital camera footage for precise event data.

🛰️Tonopah Test Range is equipped with ground stations, telemetry dishes, and solar-powered neutron detectors for data acquisition and weather monitoring.

Q&A

What is the purpose of Tonopah Test Range?

—Tonopah Test Range serves as a facility for testing and evaluating ballistics and non-nuclear aspects of atomic weapons, supporting the US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

What kind of equipment and instruments are available at Tonopah Test Range?

—The range is equipped with radars, telemetry dishes, telescopes, tracking mounts, and solar-powered neutron detectors, among other advanced equipment.

Who operates Tonopah Test Range?

—Tonopah Test Range is operated by the US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

What are the main target areas at Tonopah Test Range?

—The main target areas at Tonopah Test Range include bunkers, high bays, and housing that house the latest technologies for testing and R&D purposes.

How is data collected and processed at Tonopah Test Range?

—Data from instruments across the range is collected through miles of fiber-optic cables and processed at the main distribution hub. Initial time-space position information is provided to customers, and HD and high-speed videos are edited to document test operations.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Tonopah Test Range was established in 1957 by Sandia Corporation for the Atomic Energy Commission's testing purposes.

01:22The range is equipped with three radars that provide situational awareness information for aircraft safety and focus slaving data for instrumentation.

02:49Telescopes and tracking mounts, including the M16 Tracking Telescope and Gimbal Tracking Mount, capture high-speed digital camera footage for precise event data.

04:42Tonopah Test Range is equipped with ground stations, telemetry dishes, and solar-powered neutron detectors for data acquisition and weather monitoring.

07:11Tonopah Test Range has been providing precision tracking and data collection for over 60 years, accommodating various missions that require precise tracking.