Before analyzing the two SBIRS–HEO images, its necessary to review a little of phenomenology associated with viewing rocket plumes in the infrared. That’s because there are some surprising effects that show up very well in both these photos that, perhaps, most people would not be aware of. In particular, I’m thinking of the “trough” a …
SBIRS—Wow!!
by | 2008-12-12 | 6 Comments
This post has been updated as of 4:02 pm on Friday. Sometimes you see a picture that is simply so amazing you have trouble believing it is real. That was the case with two images the Air Force released from its SBIRS–HEO on-orbit checkout. I found them so amazing on so many different levels! My …
MDA Test Oddities
by | 2008-12-11 | 10 Comments
I am close to posting on the most recent Missile Defense Agency flight test (FTG-05). In case you wonder why this is taking me literally days to work through (with lots of help from David Wright), read these statements by new MDA Director General Patrick O’Reilly. Good afternoon, or as Mr. Whitman said, almost good …
Frank Pabian on Iran, Syria
by | 2008-12-10 | 9 Comments
In a talk at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Frank Pabian makes really amazing use of GoogleEarth and SketchUp. (There are also a couple of references to the blog, for which I am grateful.) You can also watch the Q&A:
