Tisha_AH writes "The Space Shuttle has had it's launch delayed due to need for inspection after several lightning strikes to the launch tower and/or shuttle.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
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.
http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=bK4gAAAAEBAJ
One technology that appears promising is to cause a lightning strike (to a safe location) through the use of short pulsed ultraviolet lasers.
http://www.iop.org/ej/article/1367-2630/4/1/361/nj2161.html
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."
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