Raoul wrote:"Robert,
Isn't there an issue about planes flying in the path of the Laser? And what about the spy satellites?
Nobody's supposed to know where they are, but are you getting warnings from NORAD about where not to aim and at what time?"

Yes, we do take precautions against striking aircraft... but first some facts:

1) the power density is less than that of a laser pointer, so physical damage is not an issue- I often put my hand in the beam and feel nothing- It does, however, pose an eye hazard and could distract a pilot. The chance of getting it in an airplane window are slim since we shine it upwards- we would almost certainly just hit the bottom of the plane.

2) At night the aircraft density around mauna kea is _extremely_ low...

Nevertheless, we have airplane spotters that shutter the laser if a plane comes within 30 degrees of the beam, and an IR camera that can see a plane even if its running lights are off and it automatically shutters if it sees anything. Even further measures are planned...

As for satellites, we submit a list of planned targets to NORAD space command and they send back a list of times we need to turn off the laser- so far no shutoff times have been issued while I have been here...