Thanks John. There's an interesting article about Project West Ford on
Wikipedia, which describes the failed 1961 launch (the one I remember), and the
successful 1963 launch. Apparently, radio astronomers and others (including
the Soviets, of course) protested, and the project ultimately led to a
provision on international consultation in the 1967 Space Treaty. --Art
Delibert, KB3FJO
> From: john.kaufmann@verizon.net
> To: topband@contesting.com
> Date: Sun, 11 Mar 2012 11:45:01 -0400
> Subject: Re: Topband: "Artificial" Propagation...?
>
> Some of you may be thinking of "Project West Ford", conducted in the early
> 1960's by MIT Lincoln Laboratory (where I work now). Many millions of tiny
> "needles" were launched into orbit to generate an artificial scattering
> medium above the earth for long range microwave communications. You must
> remember that this was at a time when there were no communications
> satellites or long-haul fiberoptic networks, which we take for granted
> today.
>
> Technically the project was a success as it demonstrated microwave links
> from the east coast to west coast. However, it required very large ground
> terminals with very high transmitter power. Eventually interest in the
> concept died after the first communications satellites were deployed. Most
> of the needles eventually re-entered the atmosphere and disappeared,
> although I understand a few still remain in orbit.
>
> See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_West_Ford and
> http://www.damninteresting.com/earths-artificial-ring-project-west-ford/ for
> more information.
>
> 73, John W1FV
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: topband-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:topband-bounces@contesting.com]
> On Behalf Of Arthur Delibert
> Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2012 7:59 AM
> To: n7rt@cox.net; k9la@frontier.com; topband@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: Topband: "Artificial" Propagation...?
>
>
> As I remember the earlier project, it was an effort in the early or mid
> 1960s to create perpetual worldwide twilight by shooting millions of tiny
> copper needles into the upper atmosphere. I remember reading at the time
> that they became magnetized and stuck together for that reason. In any
> event, instead of dispersing, they orbitted for awhile as a large clump.
> --Art Delibert, KB3FJO
>
> ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
> _______________________________________________
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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