US Military Blocks Data On Incoming Meteors 172
Posted
by
CmdrTaco
from the summon-bruce-willis dept.
from the summon-bruce-willis dept.
Hugh Pickens writes "Nature reports that the US military has abruptly ended an informal arrangement that allowed scientists access to data on incoming meteors from classified surveillance satellites, dealing a blow to the astronomers and planetary scientists who used the information to track space rocks. 'These systems are extremely useful,' says astronomer Peter Brown, at the University of Western Ontario. 'I think the scientific community benefited enormously.' Meteor data came from the Defense Support Program (DSP) satellite network consisting of infrared satellites in geosynchronous orbit to monitor the globe for missile launches or atmospheric nuclear blasts, forming the principal component of the United States' ballistic missile early-warning system. The satellites' effectiveness was demonstrated during Desert Storm, when DSP detected the launch of Iraqi Scud missiles and provided warning to civilian populations and coalition forces in Israel and Saudi Arabia. As a side benefit, the satellites could also precisely detect the time, position, altitude and brightness of meteors as they entered Earth's atmosphere, information the military didn't consider particularly useful, or classified. 'It was being dropped on the floor,' says former Air Force captain Brian Weeden. Although the reason for ending the arrangement remains unclear, Weeden notes that it coincides with the launch of a new generation of surveillance satellites and speculates that the Pentagon may not want details of the new satellites' capabilities to be made public, or it may simply lack the expensive software needed to handle classified and declassified data simultaneously. 'The decision may have been made that it was perhaps too difficult to disclose just these data.'"
Tinfoil isn't just for Jiffy Pop anymore (Score:5, Funny)
I assume this means the mothership is now on final approach, and we don't want those scientists causing a panic.
I, for one, welcome our new alien overlords. Advanced warning is only useful if you are against them. Join us.
--
Toro
The info become classified (Score:5, Funny)
Simple Reason: (Score:2, Funny)
...they are hiding the Transformer invasion from us.
Re:Expensive software? (Score:5, Funny)
You forgot the thousands of pages of architecture, systems engineering, regulations, requirements, and certification documents that support said code :-)
Coast to Coast? (Score:5, Funny)
So, this entire thread is essentially just a bait for idle speculation and conspiracy theories. Art Bell would be proud.
Re:Chicken Little (Score:2, Funny)
Only if Arrowsmith provides the background music.
Obligatory X-Files quote (Score:4, Funny)
CHIEF KORETZ: Sir, I have flash traffic at 24-18. Repeated calls for ID go unanswered. And it's not in the orbital or suborbital inventory.
MALE OFFICER #2: 24-18. Isn't that where...
CHIEF KORETZ: Same exact spot, sir. Although I am reading a much larger craft his time.
MALE OFFICER #2: Meteor, Ms. Koretz.
CHIEF KORETZ: A much larger meteor, sir. Hold on a second. (Putting hand to earpiece) We have a confirm. Whitmarsh Air Force Base is tracking...
MALE OFFICER #2: Where is it?
CHIEF KORETZ: Well, sir. The - meteor - seems to be hovering over a small town in Eastern Wisconsin.
Re:Tinfoil isn't just for Jiffy Pop anymore (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Expensive software? (Score:3, Funny)
Your failure in design just cost your company a million dollars and several man-years of effort.
Does this mean I'm fired?
Nah, you've fulfilled government criteria for promotion.
Unless you object, you will be bumped up a level your salary will now increase by 1.5x.
Re:Terrible bug (Score:5, Funny)
War in space? (Score:1, Funny)
I first heard about this from Richard C. Hoagland on the Wed. June 10, 2009 Coast to Coast show -
http://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2009/06/10 [coasttocoastam.com]
where Hoagland claims that there is a space war going on among the ETs, and that the military blocked further acquisition of meteor data to prevent the public learning of this space war.
Of course, I believe none of it ... I just provide it for your amusement, and that you can glean some nuggets of information from questionable sources.
Re:Tinfoil isn't just for Jiffy Pop anymore (Score:1, Funny)
The one after 'IV'.