Comments on: Spare Telescope Parts Could be Used for Homeland Security http://www.universetoday.com/2008/05/20/spare-telescope-parts-could-be-used-for-homeland-security/ Space and astronomy news Sun, 8 Nov 2009 10:14:11 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Wolfgang Keil http://www.universetoday.com/2008/05/20/spare-telescope-parts-could-be-used-for-homeland-security/comment-page-1/#comment-21118 Wolfgang Keil Wed, 21 May 2008 14:24:07 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=14384#comment-21118 The idea on detection of nuclear materials somewhere on earth is as old as nuclear materials have been discovered. The main problem on earth for remote detection of nuclear materials is the shielding. Compared with detection in space (in vacuum) we have to deal with absorption due to our dense atmosphere. A benchmark test would be for your excellent instrument to detect the small amounts of radioactive polonium or radium in a smokers nose and the chance to separate smokers from non smokers. Good luck! The idea on detection of nuclear materials somewhere on earth is as old as nuclear materials have been discovered. The main problem on earth for remote detection of nuclear materials is the shielding. Compared with detection in space (in vacuum) we have to deal with absorption due to our dense atmosphere. A benchmark test would be for your excellent instrument to detect the small amounts of radioactive polonium or radium in a smokers nose and the chance to separate smokers from non smokers. Good luck!

]]> By: PHWilson http://www.universetoday.com/2008/05/20/spare-telescope-parts-could-be-used-for-homeland-security/comment-page-1/#comment-21100 PHWilson Wed, 21 May 2008 12:24:33 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=14384#comment-21100 Why doesn't Nasa capitalize on this huge coup (again and again) in non-space applications? Geez, this merits some PR for sure. To The Naysayers: Do you REALLY believe what you find out about Homeland Security's technology is all they have going? And, we already know where every launch ready nuclear warhead resides. The "dirty bomb" is a terrorist's dream come true and do not doubt it will happen unless we have pentultimate detection. It is called "The War Against Terror", not " The War Against Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)". And yeah, us AMERICANS! Darn tootin'! Why doesn't Nasa capitalize on this huge coup (again and again) in non-space applications? Geez, this merits some PR for sure.

To The Naysayers: Do you REALLY believe what you find out about Homeland Security's technology is all they have going? And, we already know where every launch ready nuclear warhead resides. The "dirty bomb" is a terrorist's dream come true and do not doubt it will happen unless we have pentultimate detection. It is called "The War Against Terror", not " The War Against Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)".

And yeah, us AMERICANS! Darn tootin'!

]]> By: law mc http://www.universetoday.com/2008/05/20/spare-telescope-parts-could-be-used-for-homeland-security/comment-page-1/#comment-20993 law mc Tue, 20 May 2008 17:51:33 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=14384#comment-20993 except that dirty bombs are tactically useless and it doesnt seem like this would be able to locate real nuclear warheads, or at least it doesnt sound like it from the article. except that dirty bombs are tactically useless and it doesnt seem like this would be able to locate real nuclear warheads, or at least it doesnt sound like it from the article.

]]> By: Mr. LAME http://www.universetoday.com/2008/05/20/spare-telescope-parts-could-be-used-for-homeland-security/comment-page-1/#comment-20990 Mr. LAME Tue, 20 May 2008 17:43:13 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=14384#comment-20990 stupid americans ! stupid americans !

]]> By: Timber http://www.universetoday.com/2008/05/20/spare-telescope-parts-could-be-used-for-homeland-security/comment-page-1/#comment-20943 Timber Tue, 20 May 2008 15:40:52 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=14384#comment-20943 Rather than hauling it around on a truck on the ground, why not put it in orbit and look at the Earth everywhere, let's find this stuff before it gets to the US or anywhere else Rather than hauling it around on a truck on the ground, why not put it in orbit and look at the Earth everywhere, let's find this stuff before it gets to the US or anywhere else

]]> By: Dave Bowman http://www.universetoday.com/2008/05/20/spare-telescope-parts-could-be-used-for-homeland-security/comment-page-1/#comment-20942 Dave Bowman Tue, 20 May 2008 15:19:20 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=14384#comment-20942 All to strengthen TWAT*! *--The War Against Terror All to strengthen TWAT*!

*–The War Against Terror

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