Actually rocket fuel isn't a fossil fuel but is ethanol (it is ethanol, right, not methanol?). So if anyone has an interest in continued rocket use, it's the liquor companies. This also explains why we have so many rocket accidents, too much drinking of the fuel.:)
This isn't a case of someone with a laser pointer sitting in their backyard and zapping an airport 15 miles away. THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE. Let's briefly cover why: A handheld laser pointer is likely not capable of reaching that sort of range. I can't say that for sure, but it's pretty unlikely. Plus, a human hand, or even a tripod, aiming said laser pointer over 15 miles and tracking a jet that's still moving over 100MPH is not something you'd pick up in a matter of minutes. It'd take a lot of practice and intent. Nor is it accidental, you don't point a laser up in the sky and zap a cockpit by accident. You'd hit the bottom of the plane, not the windows. This is talking about things happening on takeoff or landing.
What would be necessary for zapping someone's cockpit is a very nice tripod on a flat and level surface, a scope or other optics system, a mechanical assist system to keep the laser steady and move it smoothly, and either the training or computer program to track the plane (dunno that a program to track a specific object like that exists, but I wouldn't doubt it). Then of course you'd need a high powered laser, and not something like a laser pointer (a little LED with a nice lens, last I checked), but an actual gas, dye, or crystal laser.
Does someone with that sort of equipment pointed at an aiport sound like just some innocent, wholesome people out to exercise their right to point a laser wherever they want?
All that being said, it is pretty useless to tell people not to look at the laser. Kinda like telling someone not to put burning things in their mouth...
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Actually rocket fuel isn't a fossil fuel but is ethanol (it is ethanol, right, not methanol?). So if anyone has an interest in continued rocket use, it's the liquor companies. This also explains why we have so many rocket accidents, too much drinking of the fuel. :)
This isn't a case of someone with a laser pointer sitting in their backyard and zapping an airport 15 miles away. THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE. Let's briefly cover why: A handheld laser pointer is likely not capable of reaching that sort of range. I can't say that for sure, but it's pretty unlikely. Plus, a human hand, or even a tripod, aiming said laser pointer over 15 miles and tracking a jet that's still moving over 100MPH is not something you'd pick up in a matter of minutes. It'd take a lot of practice and intent. Nor is it accidental, you don't point a laser up in the sky and zap a cockpit by accident. You'd hit the bottom of the plane, not the windows. This is talking about things happening on takeoff or landing. What would be necessary for zapping someone's cockpit is a very nice tripod on a flat and level surface, a scope or other optics system, a mechanical assist system to keep the laser steady and move it smoothly, and either the training or computer program to track the plane (dunno that a program to track a specific object like that exists, but I wouldn't doubt it). Then of course you'd need a high powered laser, and not something like a laser pointer (a little LED with a nice lens, last I checked), but an actual gas, dye, or crystal laser. Does someone with that sort of equipment pointed at an aiport sound like just some innocent, wholesome people out to exercise their right to point a laser wherever they want? All that being said, it is pretty useless to tell people not to look at the laser. Kinda like telling someone not to put burning things in their mouth...