Military's Satellite Meteor Data Sharing May Soon Resume 35
jbdigriz writes "Leonard David has a followup piece to his original story, referenced here on June 22nd ('US Military Blocks Data On Incoming Meteors'). Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert Rego explains his decision to suspend the meteor data sharing program due to 'loopholes' in the informal arrangement. He and Congressman Dana Rohrabacher hold out some hope that the program will resume on a more secure basis at some unspecified but not too distant point."
Conspiracy. (Score:5, Funny)
The big one is clearly headed for us and the planet is doomed and they just don't want people to know and start panicking. So, I would encourage everyone to panic.
Re:Conspiracy. (Score:5, Funny)
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I'm new to slashdot, what movies are you talking about? (seriously)
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The big one is clearly headed for us and the planet is doomed and they just don't want people to know and start panicking. So, I would encourage everyone to panic.
Since these particular sensors point towards the Earth, then I don't think we would have time to panic if they glimpsed the "big one".
No! Don't tell us! (Score:3, Funny)
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Re:No! Don't tell us! (Score:5, Insightful)
I had the same reaction, why would meteor data ever be classified????
Because it gives you information about the sensors used to detect the meteors.
Re:No! Don't tell us! (Score:5, Informative)
I had the same reaction, why would meteor data ever be classified????
Did you RTFA? This actually makes some sense when taken in context and explained... as in the article. The problem is that providing the data collected about incoming meteors necessarily describes the functionality and implied limitations of the detection system. Knowing the capabilities and limitations provides a strategic advantage to those who might try to avoid detection. Since the system is so complex and advanced, it is reasonable to believe that the capabilities will not be fully known by other militaries unless the information is leaked - or released in the form of data output.
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Re:No! Don't tell us! (Score:5, Informative)
The data was being released in a somewhat informal fashion. There may not have been any classified stuff leaked in the past, but it could happen in the future if, for example, the system is upgraded and the quality of the released data suddenly changes. The general wants the data to be properly declassified to make sure that doesn't happen, but declassification is expensive and he doesn't have a budget for it. It's possible that the deal he has struck involves some other agency reimbursing his command for the cost of declassifying and publishing the data.
Re:No! Don't tell us! (Score:5, Informative)
Also (Score:2)
Because they control it they can be more sure they get a true read and nobody else is doing some kind of local jamming/misrepresentation. That's the main function of the P(Y) channel. It is encrypted and the keys aren't public. So, if your military enabled GPS can decrypt it correctly, you can be fairly confident the signal is indeed coming from a sat, and not someone generating a false signal. With the C/A signal, no such luck.
That is (or at least seems to be) the reason for keeping P(Y) information classi
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vela_Incident [wikipedia.org]
With scientists come the press. They might ask how could South Africa get the bomb?
Who helped them? Where where they getting support from and who let them test?
The political leaders who lied back then, groomed the 30 somethings around them. They are now in power and have learned from past mistakes.
Now if the sat never saw the f
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If it makes you feel better, it only reports on objects that have already entered the atmosphere and started glowing from the heat of entry.
That's because the war is over (Score:2, Funny)
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Not while we have Bruce Willis.
I watched "Armageddon" last night. What an utter pile of shite.
Scientists are Liberals? (Score:5, Informative)
So, if you read TFA, the military specifically didn't want sensor data compromised, and some asshat scientist ruined the show by publishing a lightcurve off one of the meteors, which was a no-no per the agreement. I can see why the military stomped on that hard. And yes, sensor capability is a big deal; It's not like you can launch another satellite without the world knowing about it, and upgrading the sensors already got nuked by congress for being over budget.
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How does improperly publishing a lightcurve determine someone's political leanings?
I sense a troll.
Re:Scientists are Liberals? (Score:5, Informative)
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They had an informal agreement that benefited all, some one goes and pisses in the pool. Responsible General kicks him out of the pool, and quickly creates new rules that allow everyone to benefit again and share while keeping jack-asses out.
Actually sounds like responsible governing/program management to me...
It makes sense (Score:3, Funny)
After all, we know that the aliens monitor our communications. So broadcasting the distance and bearing of near misses will provide them with information they can use to adjust their targeting.
only if.. (Score:1)
Eeeeh. They are ridiculing themselves. (Score:2, Offtopic)
half of the G8 countries opened up their official ufo files. there are ufo filmings and sightings in every goddamn corner of the world so that they have almost become mundane, a touristic event. yet, the bozos in america STILL try to shuffle shit, putting their citizens in the place of fools. really, THAT much effort is not needed. people dont need the fucking government to tell them what exists, and what does not.
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Why is this sensitive data? (Score:2)
Why on earth would there be a reason to hide this in the first place?
Im sure there is a technical/political reason but at this time of morning, i'm not sure what it is.
When the data will be available... (Score:2)