Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to A NEO search facility on the moon is a dumb idea, Ed

Larry, this isn't finding tanks in the desert
E.P. Grondine — (archived)

Though G*d knows some of our wizards had problems enough with that simple optical processing task...

Larry, I want to humbly suggest that you work the problem, and I mean really work it, before commenting further on the relative merits of a lunar based observatory.

For example, it's not just the deltas, because given the number of NEOs, there will be deltas in every image. EVERY image.

And the deltas will mean nothing without position, and in this case it's not just simple pointing to general geographic co-ordinates, it's extremely accurate astronomical pointing, with CONSTANT changes in pointing.

Again, this isn't just deltas, and its not just single extremely accurate observations, it's orbital calculation and refinement on say at least 100,000 objects. The computer processing required is far more than you have imagined.

Again, the problem is not simply finding the NEOs, its finding them with adequate time to do something, from evacuation, to NEO destruction, to NEO deflection. The problem is RANGE.

COVERAGE is another aspect of the problem, and every proposed solution has its merits and drawbacks. There are always trade-offs.

With all due respect for your expertise, the people down at Langely have been working this for a living. As you are retired, I would welcome you working on the problem, but not like this, with off the cuff remarks, but only if you really sit down full time and work it.

Research the optical properties of the NEOs, research the detection algorithms, research the orbital calculation algorithms, research the data storage and processing requirements, research the required data pipes, research laser versus radio, then comment. In other words, if you're not really working this problem, then please sit down and shut up, and let those who are working it get on with it.

Tom's idea has merit. We could get the images to ISS by laser. We could radiation shield the processors there.

EP

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