NationStates Jolt Archive

Based on decades of study, Sileetris scientists have concluded that Earth's temperature is rising at an unnatural rate, and over the course of the next century, climate change will cause wide-scale damage and render many parts of the world uninhabitable. After several conferences, it was decided that since it would be impossible to diplomatically arrange for a reduction in pollutants contributing to the problem, Sileetris would have to apply its scientific base to the problem. Calculations show that intercepting 1% of the solar energy on earth will solve the problem; to do this would require a mirror 600,000 sq mi in size, although we have opted to use 6 small mirrors of only 100,000 sq mi to reduce launching costs. The mirrors will not be visible to the naked eye and will not effect photosynthesis. Launching will be accomplished via maglev ramp and single-stage boosters, and the mirrors will move into position over the course of the next two years.

We are highly suspicious of your actions, with a few alterations in the reflective pattern of the mirrors, they could be used as weapons of terror and blackmail.

Regardless, it would be far simpler to launch them in tiny sections and assemble it in space. Lastly, the mirrors would likely not have a long shelf life as they would be hit by micrometeors and shattered.

OCC - As long as the mirrors were far enough out, they would be both completely invisible and (if out of Earth's orbit) safe from micrometeor threats.

"Rumors of our mirrors doubling as weapons are completely unfounded and those that spread them should be viewed with suspicion by anyone with a respect for science!"
-Anonymous lead scientist

Excitement abounds among the Sileetris scientific community over the first launch of the Aten program, named for the Egyptian god of the Solar Disc. Included in the mirror's sensor package are a variety of cameras, magnetic field readers, and solar particle traps that will bring back a bounty of information regarding the sun. The long life of the mirror, predicted to last upwards of 70 years, is also a cause for excitement; the ability to continuously plot detailed data over such a length of time will be indispensible.

OOC: The mirrors aren't made of materials that can shatter, they are a plastic material with a reflective coating. They will be positioned far away from earth. There is no way they could be used to deprive an area of daylight.

[OOC: Would it not be better to use a polarising substance, as straight mirrors would cause large black areas on the surface of the earth which would have a severe effect on those nations lying under them.]

ooc: micrometeors/asteroids could still punch a hole in them, as to the weapon, focus solar energy into a beam, something like a magnifiny glass.

Don't worry about them being used as weapons.

If they were ever, it would be very easy to punch a missile into space, and, since it's a mirror, it would probably be fairly easy to damage using a well placed lump of ordinance.

ooc: micrometeors/asteroids could still punch a hole in them, as to the weapon, focus solar energy into a beam, something like a magnifiny glass.
Mirrors arent lenses. It would be rather difficult to use this as a weapon... unless you launched very large numbers of them to block out huge amounts of heat, but as has been said they would be easily shot down, and his own nation would be equally affected.

ooc: micrometeors/asteroids could still punch a hole in them, as to the weapon, focus solar energy into a beam, something like a magnifiny glass.

Distance could fix this problem of micrometeors easily. As for wandering fragments, a laser could be used to defend itself.

Besides a giant weapon like this would be really too large and the destruction to the atmosphere and the heat itself would cause a major change in the climate by say....frying an ocean.

They aren't perfect mirrors, they are two-way mirrors meant to reflect mainly infrared and UV, since we don't want either. Micrometeors may put holes in it, although with 100,000 sq mi it shouldn't make too much of a difference (its like shooting a zeppelin with a BB gun).

ooc: sounds like you have been playing alpha centauri ;)

ic:

Message from CTP central office

We wish to aid in any way to this great mission as it will be most helpful to our peoples and the greater good of the human race we also request information and technology for our own space missions if at all possible

Based on decades of study, Sileetris scientists have concluded that Earth's temperature is rising at an unnatural rate, and over the course of the next century, climate change will cause wide-scale damage and render many parts of the world uninhabitable. After several conferences, it was decided that since it would be impossible to diplomatically arrange for a reduction in pollutants contributing to the problem, Sileetris would have to apply its scientific base to the problem. Calculations show that intercepting 1% of the solar energy on earth will solve the problem; to do this would require a mirror 600,000 sq mi in size, although we have opted to use 6 small mirrors of only 100,000 sq mi to reduce launching costs. The mirrors will not be visible to the naked eye and will not effect photosynthesis. Launching will be accomplished via maglev ramp and single-stage boosters, and the mirrors will move into position over the course of the next two years.

OOC: Hmmm, do you get Popular Science?

CTP: We will freely share data from the mirror sensors with the scientific community of the world, and the basics of its construction, however our launch methods etc. are secret to prevent the creation of weapons based on similar tech. We are not accepting funding as this program is already covered by temporary budget reshifts.

Kyanges: Yep, but I've also been reading up on various mega-engineering and solar power things, like the cool solar tower (http://www.enviromission.com.au/index.htm).

OOC: Hmmm, do you get Popular Science?

OOC: I thought the same thing when I read this.

Leafanistan will add these new 'mirror' coordinates to our NavCom's computers, in case they no longer become so benign.