Incoming Space Rocks Now Classified

BURNING MAN · 06-29-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

For 15 years, scientists have benefited from data gleaned by U.S. classified satellites of natural fireball events in Earth's atmosphere – but no longer.

A recent U.S. military policy decision now explicitly states that observations by hush-hush government spacecraft of incoming bolides and fireballs are classified secret and are not to be released, SPACE.com has learned.

The satellites' main objectives include detecting nuclear bomb tests, and their characterizations of asteroids and lesser meteoroids as they crash through the atmosphere has been a byproduct data bonanza for scientists.

The upshot: Space rocks that explode in the atmosphere are now classified.

LINK

kidflash2008 · 06-30-2009, 11:33 AM

That is a weird story. Why would the military classify normal phenomena such as fireballs? Good find, Burning Man!

BURNING MAN · 06-30-2009, 07:21 PM

Maybe they're about to test a new bomb, they can disguise the test as a comet or meteor.

kidflash2008 · 07-01-2009, 09:37 AM

There is a reason, and that does sound sensible. To announce the information will be considered classified now does raise a red flag to conspiracy theorists.

06-30-2009, 07:21 PM	#3
BURNING MAN Investigator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Holland Posts: 344	Maybe they're about to test a new bomb, they can disguise the test as a comet or meteor. __________________ === “Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God ?”=== -- Epicurus

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

06-30-2009, 11:33 AM	#2
kidflash2008 Senior Investigator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,699	That is a weird story. Why would the military classify normal phenomena such as fireballs? Good find, Burning Man!

07-01-2009, 09:37 AM	#4
kidflash2008 Senior Investigator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,699	There is a reason, and that does sound sensible. To announce the information will be considered classified now does raise a red flag to conspiracy theorists.