Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

No Billboards in Space

Posted by Zonk on from the the-moon-sponsored-by-pepsi dept.

An anonymous reader writes "CNN is reporting that the Federal Aviation Administration proposed Thursday to amend its regulations to ensure that it can enforce a law that prohibits 'obtrusive' advertising in zero gravity." From the article: "For instance, outsized billboards deployed by a space company into low Earth orbit could appear as large as the moon and be seen without a telescope, the FAA said. Big and bright advertisements might hinder astronomers."

8 of 380 comments (clear)

  1. Huh? by caluml · · Score: 5, Interesting

    And sorry, who is enforcing this law? I wasn't aware that the US owned space.

    --
    Get your own free personal location tracker
    1. Re:Huh? by YetAnotherAnonymousC · · Score: 5, Funny

      The politicians and bueraucrats will be enforcing it... we'll be firing them into space at the billboards! =)

    2. Re:Huh? by Spetiam · · Score: 5, Interesting

      "Big and bright advertisements might hinder astronomers."

      Not to mention the proliferation of space junk.

      I wasn't aware that the US owned space.

      Wow, even when we propose keeping space clean, you just can't pass up the chance to do a little US-bashing, can you?

    3. Re:Huh? by daveo0331 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The U.S. can't unilaterally say "no billboards in space" but they can certainly say things like "US based companies can't put billboards in space" or "no launching rockets from US territory to put a billboard in space" or similar things. Also, outlawing it here in the US could be a step toward getting other countries and/or international organizations to outlaw the practice too. Then if you wanted to put a billboard in space, you'd have to launch it from someplace like North Korea or Syria or international waters (but your ship couldn't be registered in a country that signed onto the treaty), and once in orbit it would last about 10 minutes before a UN missile shot it down (as agreed previously in a UN resolution).

      So yes, if just the US outlaws this, it's silly, but it could be a step toward something more meaningful.

      --
      Remember the days when Republicans were the party of fiscal responsibility?
  2. In other news.. by AndOne · · Score: 5, Funny

    Europe annouces a space billboard initiative. Part of this initiative involves a unilateral declaration that any attempt to remove their billboards will be seen as an act of agression. Followed by what sounded like muffled laughter.

    --
    I don't care what you say, all I need is my Wumpabet soup.
  3. Disc-shaped ads... by jemenake · · Score: 5, Funny

    If they occupy as much solid-angle as the moon, then they could eclipse the sun (or moon). Can you imagine disc-shaped billboards? I can see it now... "This eclipse brought to you by Coca-Cola!" Better yet, "All your photons are belong to us". - Joe

  4. Might?! by GreyOrange · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm a member of the astronomy club here in Orlando and Disney World about 35 miles away impedes our observations. Any astronomer will tell you that a full moon can ruin observations for the night and any billboard that's as bright as the moon and is in full brightness all the time is going to tick every astronomer off within the viewable region. I feel sorry for any country's astronomers where one of these things get put up.

    --

    Insert Witty Remark Here ===>____________________________
  5. Old and silly Joke by elgrinner · · Score: 5, Funny

    An American Officer runs up to his superior and says excitedly: "Sir, Sir! The Soviets have painted the moon red, what should we do?"
    After a little contemplation the man replied: "Take a bucket of white paint to the moon and write Coca Cola on it."

    --
    But my Mom says I'm cool! -Milhouse