The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory is proposing to develop a $3 million orange laser beam aimed at helping scientists see better through a telescope atop Haleakala.
The project would upgrade the Maui Space Surveillance complex and provide it with state-of-the-art space observation, illumination and ranging capabilities.
The new laser would create an artificial “guide star” reference point, 50 to 93 miles above the Earth to enhance the telescope’s image quality. The same laser technology already assists observations at the Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea as well as other sites in the United States, notably California and New Mexico, and around the world, according to the Air Force.
The Air Force and University of Hawaii astronomers already use laser technology atop Haleakala, a study said. The Air Force said the proposed laser operations at Haleakala are “highly unlikely” to affect the health and safety of people and birds.
The guide star laser will be visible but only by visitors to the summit at night, the Air Force said.
The project is part of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Detachment 15, Maui’s plans to modernize its Haleakala facilities by renovating buildings and structures, upgrading equipment and replacing existing domes and sensors, such as cameras and lasers. The Air Force’s renovation plans were detailed in a draft environmental assessment released last month.
The study concluded that a finding of no significant impact should be made for the renovation project, clearing the way for the Air Force to proceed. The work would not expand the surveillance site, the assessment said. Also, no significant impact is anticipated on biological, cultural and visual resources; land use; air quality; infrastructure; hazardous materials and waste; or the public’s health and safety.
James Fisher, spokesman for the Kirtland Air Force Base and Air Force Research Laboratory, did not provide a total cost for the laser or the entire renovation project. He did say in an email that the entire renovation could cost from $1 million to $5 million annually over a period lasting as long as 10 years.
The facility modernization and equipment upgrade is projected to happen over five to 10 years, Fisher said. However, the laser is expected to be installed and operational within a year after the recently released draft environmental assessment is approved, he added.
The new laser would be mounted on the Air Force’s existing Advanced Electro-Optical System 3.6-meter telescope at the Maui Space Surveillance complex. It would not change the dome or structure that houses the telescope.
The laser would operate in accordance with the American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers, Air Force standards and Federal Aviation Administration outdoor laser requirements.
Laser operations would primarily occur at night, about 80 nights per year, the assessment said. A typical operation would consist of five to 10 minutes of laser use, followed by the selection of the next target while the machine is off.
The new laser would be operated and supported by existing staff, the assessment said.
The assessment said it is “extremely unlikely” that a bird flying near the laser projection with a beam diameter of 7.9 inches would intersect it and cause eye or other injuries. Reasons cited include short exposure time to the beam, low bird activity at the site and that birds, such as the petrel or ‘ua’u, fly below the angle of the laser beam projection. The Air Force has been performing laser and optical system testing at Haleakala since 2000, the study said. It has seen negligible impact on the environmental and no recorded impacts on ‘ua’u or other wildlife, the study said.
The study added that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurred with the Air Force’s determination that the proposed project unlikely would harm the ‘ua’u, silversword (none located in project areas), nene (its suitable habitat is not in the area) and the Hawaiian hoary bat (it is considered extremely unlikely that the bat resides at the summit because of the cold temperatures).
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.
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