TIRA, Research radar facility in Wachtberg, Germany
TIRA is a radar research facility in Wachtberg that uses a large rotating parabolic mirror to observe objects in space. The mirror is housed within a protective dome structure that allows the system to operate continuously in all weather conditions.
Construction began in the mid-1960s and the facility became operational for satellite observations in the early 1970s. Since then it has been used to monitor objects orbiting Earth.
The facility showcases German engineering through the Fraunhofer Society and has shaped how we track objects in space. This work remains central to modern space research and monitoring efforts.
The facility sits on private research grounds and is not open to public visits. You can view the distinctive dome structure from a distance and learn about its work through official sources.
The system was specifically developed to track orbital debris and can detect small objects with exceptional precision. This capability makes it a critical tool for monitoring hazards in Earth's orbit.
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