[Laser] Laser retroreflectors on Sats

[J. Forster]

Some years ago, in AW&ST I think, the US accused the USSR of 'blinding'
our spy satellites. There were also reported attempts to damage the sensor
itself with VERY high energy lasers. While I doubt that anything in
civilian hands could even blind a satellite briefly, the spooky folks who
own them don't appreciate such things.

As to telling the bird where you are, unless you kill it, it can send down
a picture to better than 1 meter resolution.

FWIW,
-John

==========


> : what is the legalities to bouncing lasers off of satellites.
>
> Will the satellite press charges?
>
> : i know here in the usa if you shine a small laser in the sky and a plane
> see's it you will
> : wind up getting a rectal from homeland security.
>
> 1.  Tell them not to look, they are under no obligation to do so.
>
> 2.  Currently, the way to warn air-craft out or restriced airspace within
> the US is to shine a series of red and green lasers DIRECTLY into the
> cockpit of the craft.
>
> 3.  Don't tell the satellite where you live.
>
> Kurt
>
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