casab1anca - Slashdot User

Pentagon Wants Kill Switch For Planes 548

Posted by samzenpus on Wednesday June 11, 2008 @09:47PM from the jettison-the-wings dept.

mytrip writes "The Pentagon's non-lethal weapons division is looking for technologies that could 'disable' aircraft, before they can take off from a runway — or block the planes from flying over a given city or stretch of land. The Directorate's program managers don't mention how engineers might pull off such a kill switch. But, however it's done, they'd like to have a similar system for boats, as well. They're looking for a device that can, from 100 meters away, 'safely stop or significantly impede the movement' of vessels up to 40 feet long, with 'minimal collateral damage.'"

Google's Brin Books a Space Flight 170

Posted by CmdrTaco on Wednesday June 11, 2008 @01:04PM from the i-can-see-my-house-from-here dept.

coondoggie writes "Google largely conquered the Earth — now it is taking aim at space. At least co-founder Sergei Brin is. Brin today said he put down $5 million toward a flight to the International Space Station in 2011. Brin's space travel will be brokered by Space Adventures, the space outfit that sent billionaire software developer Charles Simonyi to the station in 2007. Computer game developer (and son of a former NASA astronaut) Richard Garriott is currently planning a mission to the ISS in October 2008. Garriott is paying at least $30 million to launch toward the space station aboard a Russian Soyuz spaceship according to Space Adventures." Make sure to wave when you are over Michigan, man. I'll be the one on my lawn, green with envy.

Comment This could be dangerous ... (Score 1) 127

by casab1anca on Wednesday June 11, 2008 @06:10AM (#23744697) Attached to: Ionospheric Interference With GPS Signals

... for instance, if you're trying to locate some place in an emergency - you might be led astray by a wrong signal. That's the problem with technology - although it can do amazing things, you never know when it'll fail. (or to put it the Murphy way - it'll fail when you need it the most)

Ionospheric Interference With GPS Signals 127

Posted by kdawson on Wednesday June 11, 2008 @03:44AM from the trusting-your-garmin dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "In recent years, we have become increasingly dependent on applications using the Global Positioning System, such as railway control, highway traffic management, emergency response, and commercial aviation. But the American Geophysical Union warns us that we can't always trust our GPS gadgets because 'electrical activity in the... ionosphere can tamper with signals from GPS satellites.' However, new research studies are under way and 'may lead to regional predictions of reduced GPS reliability and accuracy.'" Roland's blog has useful links and a summary of a free introduction, up at the AGU site, to a special edition of the journal Space Weather with seven articles (not free) regarding ionospheric effects on GPS.

BMW Introduces GINA Concept Car, Covered In Fabric 347

Posted by kdawson on Wednesday June 11, 2008 @01:29AM from the bend-me-shape-me dept.

smithtuna33 writes "Ever wondered what the metal skin on your car is actually good for? Engineers at BMW have decided that fabric might work just as well. The doors literally peel away from the side of the car, the engine bay opens up down the middle, and pretty much everything (such as headlamps) is hidden until the fabric reveals it. It is a stunning concept that has already been influencing BMW's designs. The video is well worth watching."

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