Main article: 3.67 m Advanced Electro Optical System Telescope In the process of accomplishing its mission, the observatory has discovered a number of asteroids (see § List of discovered minor planets) Currently, through its primary mission for the United States Space Force, Space Operations Command, (formerly, Air Force Space Command), the Maui Space Surveillance System combines large-aperture tracking optics with visible and infrared sensors to collect data on near Earth and deep-space objects. Spanning over 30 years, the evolution of the Maui Space Surveillance System has demonstrated several stages in the history of space object tracking telescopes. Based on double star observations, seeing is typically on the order of one second of arc. Dry, clean air and minimal scattered light from surface sources enable visibility exceeding 150 km. Virtually year-round viewing conditions are possible due to the relatively stable climate. It is essentially co-located with IAU code 566, Haleakala- NEAT/ GEODSS. Situated at the crest of the dormant volcano Haleakala ( IAU code 608), the observatory stands at an altitude of 3058 metres, latitude 20.7 degrees N, and longitude 156.3 degrees W. The Maui Space Surveillance System, is routinely involved in numerous observing programs and has the capability of projecting lasers into the atmosphere. The accessibility and capability of the Maui Space Surveillance System provides an unequaled opportunity to the scientific community by combining state-of-the-art satellite tracking with a facility supporting research and development. The University of Michigan was replaced by industrial contractors, and numerous system improvements and additions then took place over subsequent years. In 1969, AMOS potential had been demonstrated, and the Air Force took charge as ARPA's agent. Construction was complete by 1967, after which the telescopes and control systems were evaluated, calibrated, and tested until mid 1969. This amendment defined the AMOS goals as follows: "(1) Identification and signature of space objects (2) an active program to advance the state of the art in infrared technology and high-resolution imagery (3) a research program in geophysics and astrophysics including the astronomical community." Design was completed in 1963, and physical plant construction begun by the Army Corps of Engineers. The AMOS effort formally began with an amendment to an existing ARPA order with the University of Michigan's Institute for Science and Technology, which was to design, construct, and operate the facility. Its location on Mount Haleakala was nearly ideal for its altitude high above much obscuration by water vapor, for its midcourse location between the missile launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base and its main reentry location at Kwajalein Atoll, and for its low-latitude location which was advantageous for observing satellites. Zirkind of ARPA's staff for imaging ballistic missile payloads and decoys during their midcourse phase, and other space objects including satellites, in the infrared spectrum, as well as for performing astronomical research. Today's observatory was initiated by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) in 1961 as the ARPA Midcourse Optical Station (AMOS). The main-belt asteroid 8721 AMOS is named after the project. AFRL's research and development mission on Maui was formally called Air Force Maui Optical Station ( AMOS) the use of the term AMOS has been widespread throughout the technical community for over thirty years and is still used today at many technical conferences. Second, it oversees operation of the Maui High Performance Computing Center (MHPCC). First, it conducts the research and development mission on the Maui Space Surveillance System (MSSS) at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex (MSSC). The Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing observatory is an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) operating location at Haleakala Observatory on Maui, Hawaii, with a twofold mission ( 608). Facilities shown include the Advanced Electro-Optical Telescope, the Maui Space Surveillance System, and one of three Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance sites. The Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing site at Haleakala Observatory in Hawaii.
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