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> Various options including DSL over HICS cables and radio were considered, but the current plan is to trench new fiber-optic cables across the launch fields. T
by amluto 2y ago
> Various options including DSL over HICS cables and radio were considered, but the current plan is to trench new fiber-optic cables across the launch fields. They're less interesting, but fiber optic cables have both capacity and reliability advantages over telephone cables, and could easily remain in service for the life of the Sentinel program.
I was actually a bit surprised there was nothing about lightning and EMP suppression. I’m no expert on EMP effects, but multiple-mile-long cable loops underground seem like the kind of thing that would develop large induced currents in the presence of a varying magnetic field.
Nonconductive fiber optic cables are entirely immune to these effects. And they’re less expensive than copper!
- jcrawfordor 2y agoLightning protection in these types of cables is well understood, since the telephone system contended with the same problem. Fortunately EMP effects are mostly accounted for by lightning protection, when it comes to the outside plant. There are definitely lightning arrestors where cables enter facilities, but I would wager the facilities were built with halo grounds. There is integral EMP shielding in the design of the bunkers, as well, with a steel liner surrounding the concrete.
- dredmorbius 2y agoLightning isn't the only phenomena of interest to ICBM silo ops which generates EMP.
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- skhr0680 2y agoWouldn’t they have already launched before suffering any ill effects from EMP?
- ben_w 2y agoIt only takes one nuke to make an EMP that can mess up most of the continental USA, that's something which could plausibly be done as a first strike. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_electromagnetic_pulse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_electromagnetic_pulse Now I think about it, how is the international law banning nukes in space actually enforced? E.g. if Russia just put one on a satellite and didn't tell anyone, does anyone have any way to notice?
- zikduruqe 2y agoThis is actually a pretty good book. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4922079-one-second-after https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4922079-one-second-after
- pooper 2y ago> Now I think about it, how is the international law banning nukes in space actually enforced? E.g. if Russia just put one on a satellite and didn't tell anyone, does anyone have any way to notice? I am way out of my depth to say anything about this but I am just asking questions. I think we have to define a few words here > space what does space mean? I mean where will the detonation take place? Is it low earth orbit? geostationary orbit? is it past the orbit of Jupiter? outside the solar system (like voyager 1)? > nukes How big is this nuke? If it is small enough and far enough, do we care?
- ben_w 2y agoFrom my previous link: 10 kT seems to be "big enough" to cause problems. Likewise "space" (for a HAEMP) means "up to about 500 km" — diagram from the previous link, based on h = 400 km: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EMP_mechanism.png https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EMP_mechanism.png For the purposes of "where can nukes not be stationed according to the Outer Space Treaty of 1967": (1) orbit, (2) any celestial body, (3) anywhere else in outer space: > Article IV > States Parties to the Treaty undertake not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, install such weapons on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space in any other manner.