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Russian Physicists Solve Radio Black-Out Problem for Re-Entering Spacecraft

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Re: Russian Physicists Solve Radio Black-Out Problem for Re-Entering Spacecraft

#2
It reminds me of the Navy's sea water antenna system (http://www.public.navy.mil/spawar/Pacific/TechTransfer/Produ...).

I know nothing about this thing, but I would have thought the plasma would be on the underside of the craft, allowing any antennae on the top to communicate with a satellite that could relay everything to/from the ground station.

Re: Russian Physicists Solve Radio Black-Out Problem for Re-Entering Spacecraft

#3

It reminds me of the Navy's sea water antenna system ( http://www.public.navy.mil/spawar/Pacific/TechTransfer/Produ... ). I know nothing about this thing, but I would have thought the plasma would be on the underside of the craft, allowing any antennae on the top to communicate with a satellite that could relay everything to/from the ground station.

I'm guessing it's not going straight down, and most of the speed is actually on the x axis. The atmosphere is how much? 50 km? While the descent path is most likely counted in thousands.

Re: Russian Physicists Solve Radio Black-Out Problem for Re-Entering Spacecraft

#4
That should read Theoretically Solve but I admire the ingenuity nonetheless and hope that the road from theory to practice is short and uneventful.

A shame this hack has military applications, it would be nice if every now and again scientists patented their discoveries and precluded military use in doing so. [ Please don't downvote me for expressing this sentiment :) ]

Re: Russian Physicists Solve Radio Black-Out Problem for Re-Entering Spacecraft

#5

That should read Theoretically Solve but I admire the ingenuity nonetheless and hope that the road from theory to practice is short and uneventful. A shame this hack has military applications, it would be nice if every now and again scientists patented their discoveries and precluded military use in doing so. [ Please don't downvote me for expressing this sentiment :) ]

I thought there was a clause making all technology available for national defence, regardless of patents... but can't find the source. Anyone?

Re: Russian Physicists Solve Radio Black-Out Problem for Re-Entering Spacecraft

#6

It reminds me of the Navy's sea water antenna system ( http://www.public.navy.mil/spawar/Pacific/TechTransfer/Produ... ). I know nothing about this thing, but I would have thought the plasma would be on the underside of the craft, allowing any antennae on the top to communicate with a satellite that could relay everything to/from the ground station.

Wouldn't the plasma flow around the craft from bottom to top like a bubble?

Re: Russian Physicists Solve Radio Black-Out Problem for Re-Entering Spacecraft

#7
post #5

That should read Theoretically Solve but I admire the ingenuity nonetheless and hope that the road from theory to practice is short and uneventful. A shame this hack has military applications, it would be nice if every now and again scientists patented their discoveries and precluded military use in doing so. [ Please don't downvote me for expressing this sentiment :) ]

I thought there was a clause making all technology available for national defence, regardless of patents... but can't find the source. Anyone?

I've heard this too. A quick search found a book briefly covering the topic. I couldn't find an official source.

As a matter of public policy - national defense trumps patents - http://bit.ly/faNGT3

Re: Russian Physicists Solve Radio Black-Out Problem for Re-Entering Spacecraft

#8
post #5

That should read Theoretically Solve but I admire the ingenuity nonetheless and hope that the road from theory to practice is short and uneventful. A shame this hack has military applications, it would be nice if every now and again scientists patented their discoveries and precluded military use in doing so. [ Please don't downvote me for expressing this sentiment :) ]

I thought there was a clause making all technology available for national defence, regardless of patents... but can't find the source. Anyone?

That may be true in the US but what about in other jurisdictions? I mean doctor's have the Hippocrates oath of do no harm to the patient but (and not to come over all tree-hugging peacenik like) why do chemists/bioengineers/physicists not have a similar oath with respect to the our species or other species in general or the planet in its entirety? But I guess the scientists do the theorizing and the engineers and coders build weaponize or apply the theoretical results in military applications so what good would it do ... Hmm, maybe the New Year is making me come over all compassionate and fuzzy :)

Re: Russian Physicists Solve Radio Black-Out Problem for Re-Entering Spacecraft

#9
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought there was a clause making all technology available for national defence, regardless of patents... but can't find the source. Anyone?

That may be true in the US but what about in other jurisdictions? I mean doctor's have the Hippocrates oath of do no harm to the patient but (and not to come over all tree-hugging peacenik like) why do chemists/bioengineers/physicists not have a similar oath with respect to the our species or other species in general or the planet in its entirety? But I guess the scientists do the theorizing and the engineers and cod…

Because if we disallowed research that could lead to military applications, we wouldn't do much research at all. Look at all the tech stuff you use everyday and you will realise that most if not all of it have their origin somewhere in a defense lab or contractor.

Re: Russian Physicists Solve Radio Black-Out Problem for Re-Entering Spacecraft

#10
post #6

It reminds me of the Navy's sea water antenna system ( http://www.public.navy.mil/spawar/Pacific/TechTransfer/Produ... ). I know nothing about this thing, but I would have thought the plasma would be on the underside of the craft, allowing any antennae on the top to communicate with a satellite that could relay everything to/from the ground station.

Wouldn't the plasma flow around the craft from bottom to top like a bubble?

Yeah, it does.
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