HAARP

There is a strong connection between the ionospheric research conducted at the HAARP facility and many practical issues that affect our everyday lives. All long-distance high frequency (HF) communication systems, such as ship-to-shore communications, transoceanic aircraft links, and portable systems used so frequently in Alaska and other remote areas, operate by bouncing signals off the ionosphere, a process often referred to as sky-wave propagation. By studying a small, limited portion of the ionosphere directly over the facility, research at the HAARP observatory is able to probe the nature of this dynamic medium, both in its naturally disturbed condition and when artificially stimulated, with the goal of being able to provide the fundamental understanding necessary to enhance the performance of such systems.

Radio signals at much higher frequencies are used with satellite communication systems such as the military's UHF satellite constellation and with navigation systems such as GPS. In this case, the signals must pass through the ionosphere. The performance of these systems can be negatively impacted by naturally occuring ionospheric processes such as scintillation, fading and Faraday rotation. Research at HAARP is of great value in studying and characterizing these ionospheric processes as well.

Research conducted at the HAARP facility can be classified as Basic or Exploratory Research which is fundamental in nature, often resulting in discoveries or significant broadening of the knowledge base. The eventual development of useful technologies and applications or the improvement in the performance of existing systems sych as those discussed above, is facilitated when it is based on a strong and complete understanding of the underlying fundamental processes.

We like to think that when the apple fell on Newton's head, it motivated him to think about the motion of heavenly bodies. Eventually, through a process akin to fundamental research, Newton was able to derive equations that described the orbits of planets in the solar system. He could not foresee how his laws of motion could be applied to space flight or to the launching of communication satellites.

Another relevant example is the fundamental research of chemists F. Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina who were studying the catalytic properties of halogen compounds in photochemical reactions. Although not an initial objective of their research, they published a paper in 1974 extending their investigations to conditions existing in the Earth's stratosphere and came to the startling conclusion that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) being released on Earth would cause significant depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, thereby destroying our protection against harmful solar ultraviolet radiation and increasing the risk of skin cancer and other health problems. At that time, CFCs were used primarily in air conditioners and as a propellant in hair sprays. Their conclusion was not warmly received by the industrial manufacturers of such compounds and was debated within scientific circles, but subsequent measurements made using high-altitude balloons showed that the predicted depletion of the ozone layer was actually occurring at an alarming rate. Fortunately, the international community reacted to this environmental threat fairly quickly, and an agreement was reached in 1987 to phase out the manufacture and use of CFCs. This agreement has been implemented, at least in the developed countries of the world, but it is too early to see any significant results. The latest predictions, using sophisticated computer models of atmospheric phenomena, are that the desired restoration of the ozone layer should begin occurring by the year 2015. In recognition of their scientific contributions that alerted the world to this serious environmental problem, Rowland and Molina were awarded the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. This is a powerful example of how basic research can yield significant, unplanned benefits for mankind.

Twenty years ago, the leading scientists in the ionospheric research community were consulted to obtain their input and to help define the future operating characteristics of the HAARP facility. Top research scientists continue to be involved with HAARP's research program and with its educational and outreach activities. The facility has been used for exciting new research and regularly produces discoveries in ionospheric physics worthy of publishing in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Geophysical Research, Geophysical Research Letters, and Radio Science. Since the first research campaign at HAARP in 1999, well over 100 scholarly papers have been published in scientific journals. In addition, research at HAARP is regularly presented at annual scientific conferences that include sessions devoted to ionospheric interactive research, including those sponsored by the American Geophysical Union held annually in the Fall and by the International Union of Radio Science (URSI) held annually in January.

The question occasionally arises as to why HAARP was being built in Alaska. Like Canada, Russia, and Norway among others, the United States is an Arctic nation. If we are to make informed decisions concerning the use and preservation of the region's resources and develop systems that are compatible with the unique Arctic environment, we need knowledge derived from high-quality research activities. The Arctic ionosphere strongly affects high latitude telecommunication systems, and depending on solar activity and geographic location, the natural variations in the ionosphere over Alaska can be characterized as polar, auroral, or mid-latitude, leading to wide variations in communication performance. The HAARP Facility is ideally situated to allow the study of each of these conditions. More will be said about this later.

In summary, the aim of research conducted at HAARP is to explore and understand natural phenomena occurring in the Earth's ionosphere and near-Earth space environment. This research is of considerable value for communication and navigation system applications. Other research will examine the use of low frequencies for underwater communications. But in the end, the goal of all the research conducted at HAARP is knowledge. Knowledge is the fuel that powers our modern technological society. While many of the potential applications of this research can be foreseen, history tells us that many new and highly significant benefits will also emerge.