 |
Orbital Mirror
A huge reflective surface in orbit around a planet or moon, the purpose of which is to focus sunlight onto the surface. (Read the full article)
| "I am Darth Vader! I love Padame!" (Anakin Skywalker 9/12/2005 4:12:45 PM ) |
| "Orbital Mirrors were actually considered during the Vietnam war to illuminate the DMZ at night.
In the 1950's movie "Gog and Magog", an orbital mirror ( called a heliostat) is suggested as a space based weapon. This was based on an idea of Werhner Von Braun ( See "Conquest of Space ( the book))." (Penny 1/29/2006 5:48:56 PM ) |
| "Also, Orbiting mirrors used as signaling devices for a an orbited manned space station appear in "Brick Moon" by Edward Everrit Hale.
I just needed an excuse to mention this VERY old story that scoops satellites and space stations. " (Penny 1/29/2006 5:51:13 PM ) |
| "Orbital mirrors are also described in Red Mars written by Kim Stanley Robinson in 1993. These are fresnel lenses and can be used for terraforming or as weapons." (anonymous coward 6/16/2006 1:33:12 PM ) |
| "these were not invented by Stover but appear in earlier Star Wars works by Kevin J. Anderson" ( 7/14/2008 4:43:32 AM ) |
Leave a comment:
Tediously, spammers have returned. So, send me your comments to bill at the site name (be sure to mention the page) and I'll post them. Thanks!
Current News Articles
Mechazilla Arms Catch A Falling Starship, But Check Out SF Landing-ARMS
'...the rocket’s landing-arms automatically unfolded.'
A System To Defeat AI Face Recognition
'...points and patches of light... sliding all over their faces in a programmed manner that had been designed to foil facial recognition systems.'
Robot Hand Separate From Robot
'The crawling, exploring object was V-Stephen's surgeon-hand...'
Hybrid Wind Solar Devices
'...the combined Wind-Suncatcher, like a spray of tulips mounted fanwise.'
Is Optimus Autonomous Or Teleoperated?
'I went to the control room where the three other men were manipulating their mechanical men.'
Robot Masseuse Rubs People The Right Way
'The automatic massager began to fumble gently...'
Solar-Powered Space Trains On The Moon
'The low-slung monorail car, straddling its single track, bored through the shadows on a slowly rising course.'
Drone Deliveries Instead Of Waiters In Restaurants?
'It was a smooth ovoid floating a few inches from the floor...'
Optimus Robot Can Charge Itself
'... he thrust in his charging arm to replenish his store of energy.'
Skip Movewear Arc'teryx AI Pants
'...the terrible Jovian gravity that made each movement an effort.'
'Robovan' Name Already Taken - Elon, Try These
There are alternative names that are probably in the public domain by now.
How Old Are Tesla Designs?
You be the judge.
