OT: Upper limit on Lasers, range and power....

Dizzy · #1 July 17th, 2006, 01:32 AM

the no weapons in space thing... where is that written? I'd like to take a look. The Bush Administration hs been pretty crafty at getting around obstacles to get what it wants. If they wanted to put a 'reflecting' mirror into space, I dont think they'd call it a weapon. The laser would be the weapon and its on land.

Besides, when has the NSA ever gone in front of the 'whoever wrote and regulates the no weapons in space rule' and disclaimed what the role of the satellite was they were launching into space?

Will · #2 July 17th, 2006, 04:22 AM

IIRC, lasers used to "shoot down" ICBMs do nothing of the sort of vaporizing anything. What they do is interfere with the tracking and guidance systems, and essentially force it to dive down into the ocean where it would be relatively harmless.

capnq · #3 July 17th, 2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Dizzy said: the no weapons in space thing... where is that written?

Outer Space Treaty

Dizzy · #4 July 17th, 2006, 01:03 PM

Thanks for that link!

So here's all it seems to say: "States shall not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner; ".

That kinda opens it up for the possibility to stick up there a 'telescope refocusing lens' for 'looking around spy stuff'. I mean... the laser is on land. That satellite is just a buncha mirrors and lenses. No weapon there...

::whistles innocently::