Plans submitted for new telescope dome at Herstmonceux Castle
A new telescope dome could be built at Herstmonceux Castle after plans were submitted to Wealden District Council.
The plans, if approved, would see the new telescope dome built at the Space Geodesy Facility (SGF).
The SGF makes laser range observations to enable orbit determination for scientific satellite missions that study the oceans, ice sheets, land mass, gravity field and climate of the Earth in order to better understand the processes at work.
The design and access statement read: “The dome will house a new telescope which is part of a UK Space Agency project to install optical telescopes at several locations around the world as part of its ‘observe’ strategy.
“This will use the tracking data from the telescopes to monitor active/debris objects in Earth’s orbit in order to help prevent collisions as well as any increase in debris population that could render satellite operations in Earth’s orbit impossible.
“This is a global issue of enormous significance to wider society given our increasing reliance on space systems for navigation, timing, and weather amongst other issues.
“This important UK asset will belong to a larger, global effort.
“The site is screened to the north, east and west, by mature woodland and the existing building. As such, the new dome will not be at all visible from the north, east or south, and in particular, from the direction of the Castle.”