Two Sides of the Starfire Optical Range

The Starfire Optical Range on the Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico is a research laboratory, whose primary duty is to develop and demonstrate optical wavefront control technologies. But according to Colonel Gregory Vansuch, chief of the installation, it could transform to a docile picture taking device of heavenly bodies to a military super weapon.

“We don’t hide the fact that it could help build an anti-satellite weapon. If you choose to do it,” says Vansuch.

On a normal day, what the SOR does is shoot a laser 56 miles into the mesosphere with scientists measuring the distortion it has created and then adjust the laser's mirrors until the beam is back in focus. It's been reported that the SOR can take photos that are 40 times sharper than uncorrected pictures.

But in an article published in the New York Times, it says that research is being conducted at the laboratory into how to use ground-based lasers to disable satellites. No need to panic though. The politics surrounding space weapons are very tricky and may take a while before this becomes some sort of death ray to wipe out all mankind. Whew.

Via Wired

The Starfire Optical Range on the Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico is a research laboratory, whose primary duty is to develop and demonstrate optical wavefront control technologies. But according to Colonel Gregory Vansuch, chief of the installation, it could transform to a docile picture taking device of heavenly bodies to a military super weapon.

“We don’t hide the fact that it could help build an anti-satellite weapon. If you choose to do it,” says Vansuch.

On a normal day, what the SOR does is shoot a laser 56 miles into the mesosphere with scientists measuring the distortion it has created and then adjust the laser's mirrors until the beam is back in focus. It's been reported that the SOR can take photos that are 40 times sharper than uncorrected pictures.

But in an article published in the New York Times, it says that research is being conducted at the laboratory into how to use ground-based lasers to disable satellites. No need to panic though. The politics surrounding space weapons are very tricky and may take a while before this becomes some sort of death ray to wipe out all mankind. Whew.

Via Wired