Lightning Strikes Delay Shuttle Launch 50
Tisha_AH writes "The Space Shuttle has had its
launch delayed for inspection after several lightning strikes to the launch tower and/or shuttle. Several different technologies have been applied by NASA to divert the strike energy to ground potentials with Air Terminals (lightning rods), surge protectors or the often-disputed use of static dissipator brushes. One technology that appears promising is to cause a lightning strike (to a safe location) through the use of short pulsed ultraviolet lasers. Maybe in the future, once the technology matures, we may find widespread use of UV lasers to protect space launch vehicles, antenna towers or buildings."
Re:None of the strikes hit the shuttle... (Score:4, Funny)
Awesome! Under the rules of homepathy that water is now imbued with lightning!
Somebody needs to get a distribution deal. With the markup we can finance that Mars mission way ahead of schedule.
Spare U.S. The AgonY of Space Shuttle Failure (Score:1, Funny)
and just subcontract the work to theSoyuz engineers [energia.ru].
What's next on the list of delays: slow pizza delivery,
mice, North Korean botnets, or Bruno?
Yours In Socialism,
Kilgore Trout
Bad Summary (Score:2, Funny)
From TFA: None of the strikes hit the shuttle or its external tank and solid rocket boosters, but there were strikes to the lightning mast and water tower.
Sheesh... You'd think it was Microsoft article.
Re:None of the strikes hit the shuttle... (Score:4, Funny)
So if I don't use any, does that mean that I can die from a massive overdose?