Lightning Strikes Delay Shuttle Launch

Tisha_AH writes "The Space Shuttle has had its launch delayed for inspection after several lightning strikes to the launch tower and/or shuttle. Several different technologies have been applied by NASA to divert the strike energy to ground potentials with Air Terminals (lightning rods), surge protectors or the often-disputed use of static dissipator brushes. One technology that appears promising is to cause a lightning strike (to a safe location) through the use of short pulsed ultraviolet lasers. Maybe in the future, once the technology matures, we may find widespread use of UV lasers to protect space launch vehicles, antenna towers or buildings."

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Not pertinent to the current delays, but this story reminded me of a cool picture.

I wonder if lasers could be used to divert lightning from commercial airliners in-flight? There was some speculation it could have contributed to the recent Air France crash, though apparently it's not a leading theory.