Starfire Optical Range

The Starfire Optical Range is a research laboratory of the United States Air Force, located in the Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque (New Mexico). According to its website, it is working on the "Development and demonstration of techniques for controlling optical wave fronts ." The plant is a security area and provides a means of " Directed Energy Directorate " of the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Include to their optical equipment

  • Equipped 3.5 - meter reflecting telescope, in operation since 1994 and since 1997 with an adaptive optics
  • 1.5 -meter telescope, and a
  • 1.0 -meter beam -director.

Military use

According to an article in the New York Times of May 3, 2006, research at the facility for a method that will allow the turning off of satellites, using ground- assisted laser. Appropriate documents for procurement budget had been presented to the U.S. Congress. Such a system would correspond to a power weapon or a space weapon.

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