> Robert Fenske recently wrote, in response to the possible > observation of the collision flash over Africa: > > "... At one time, the U.S. had several Vela satellites in orbit that > were designed to look for missile launches and/or nuclear > detonations. I don't have a clue as to whether these satellites are > still in operation (or even in orbit). "The Nuclear Detonation (NUDET) Detection System (NDS) consists of space, control, and user equipment segments. The space segment consists of NUDET detection sensors on the GPS/NDS satellites. The control segment consists of ground control software and is known as the Integrated Correlation and Display System (ICADS). The user equipment segment consists of the Ground NDS Terminals (GNT). The NDS provides a worldwide, highly survivable capability to detect, locate, and report any nuclear detonations in the earth's atmosphere or in near space in near-real time. The NDS supports NUDET detection requirements for AFSPC (Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment [ITWAA]), USSTRATCOM (Nuclear Force Management), and AFTAC (Treaty Monitoring)." This info was found at: http://www.defensedaily.com/peds/airf/0305913F.htm