johng@ecrcvax.UUCP (John Gregor) (01/19/88)
> Yes, but those mirrors will have to be positioned to accuracies of a > fraction of a wavelength. That's easily done at radio frequencies, but > optical frequencies are a different story. I'm not saying it can never > be done, only that it's well beyond our capabilities at present to do it > on spacecraft. Not to say that there probably isn't a few billion buried > somewhere in NRO's black budget for R&D into this sort of thing. (Can > you say 'Welfare for Engineers?' Good! I knew you could!") :-) I'm not so sure. I keep hearing stories of DoD types showing up at physics and OPTICS conferences demanding to preview all papers and outlines for courses. Invariably several papers are ordered to be withdrawn. Something along the lines of "Non-classified but sensitive information." That's governmentese for: "We are very impressed with the work you have accomplished. Especially since you did it without DoD funding or access to Secret data. However, it is too good and, in the interests on national security, we are commandeering all of your data and locking it up so it won't fall into the wrong hands. If you even think about telling someone else about your work, we'll lock you up just as tight. We understand that this has been your life's work, and you are welcome to come work for us... Who knows, perhaps you might even be able to get clearance to see your work again." I believe RSA fell into that category for a while. John Gregor johng%ecrcvax.UUCP@germany.CSNET