CENAP Infoline - no 106

Magazine Overview

This issue of CENAP-INFOLINE, dated April 9, 2000, is titled 'Science & Technology' and focuses on advancements in military technology and space exploration. The cover story, "Die schlauen Bomben greifen in Schwärmen an und finden ihr Ziel selbstständig" (Smart Bombs Attack in Swarms and Find Their Target Independently), discusses the development of autonomous drones like the 'Locaas' system, highlighting concerns about lowering the threshold for warfare.

Articles

Smart Bombs and Autonomous Drones

The lead article details the 'Locaas' (Low Cost Autonomous Attack System) drone, a compact weapon developed by Lockheed Martin, measuring 80 centimeters long and powered by a jet engine. These drones are designed to operate in swarms, coordinating their attacks via computer to efficiently target enemy vehicles. The article quotes Feldwebel Rose Reynolds from the development team, emphasizing the weapon's intelligence in identifying and engaging targets. Critics, however, warn that such advanced weaponry could make initiating wars easier by reducing the perceived risk to one's own soldiers.

Space Exploration and Discoveries

Mir Space Station: The 'Mir' space station is featured as a potential filming location for a Russian movie, with actor Vladimir Steklow scheduled to join the next crew. The article notes that the station, previously slated for decommissioning, has found new avenues for financing, including product placement and offering a 'space hotel' for wealthy clients.

Mars Discoveries: Several articles focus on Mars. One reports on the discovery of vast underground channels, up to 200 kilometers wide and 1600 kilometers long, detected by the 'Mars Global Surveyor' probe. Scientists speculate these channels may have once carried water and could have harbored life. Another article explains that the mysterious lines and streaks observed on the Martian surface are caused by dust devils, which the 'Global Surveyor' has now photographed in action. Furthermore, images reveal that the Martian poles are porous, resembling Swiss cheese, with the North Pole having a finer structure and the South Pole composed of frozen carbon dioxide.

Galileo Probe: The Jupiter probe 'Galileo' has successfully completed a dangerous flyby of the moon Io, enduring intense radiation without damage. Its mission has been extended, with plans for further close approaches to Jupiter's moons Ganymede and Europa, and a potential encounter with the Cassini probe. The probe's future may involve a controlled crash onto Io or Callisto to prevent contamination of Europa, which is considered a potential habitat for primitive life.

Moon Rock Exhibition: A 128-gram piece of moon rock, collected during the Apollo 16 mission, is being displayed at the Landesmuseum für Technik und Arbeit (LTA) in Mannheim as part of the 'Mythos Jahrhundertwende' exhibition. The rock is presented in a protective resin pyramid and is a significant artifact of space exploration.

Satellite Issues: The 'Iridium' company, a US mobile phone giant, has filed for bankruptcy after only 16 months, potentially leading to the loss of 66 satellites valued at twelve billion marks. If no buyer is found, the satellites' control systems will be deactivated, and they will likely burn up in the atmosphere.

NASA's Self-Criticism: A NASA-commissioned study has revealed significant flaws within the US space agency, attributing mission failures to a 'Faster, Better, Cheaper' approach that led to budget constraints, overworked staff, and critical errors. This has resulted in the cancellation of a planned Mars landing mission for 2001 and potential delays for other missions. Specific failures mentioned include the Mars Polar Lander, which crashed due to a sensor defect, and the Mars Climate Orbiter, lost due to a mix-up between 'feet' and 'meters'.

Space Debris: The 'Compton Gamma Ray Observatory', a 17-ton space probe, is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere in early June. Due to its titanium components, it is not expected to burn up completely, raising concerns about potential debris impact, particularly in the South Pacific.

Other News

Loch Ness Flight Ban: The British Air Force has imposed a no-fly zone over Loch Ness to prevent jet noise from disturbing researchers studying the legendary 'Nessie'.

Sectarian Doomsday Cult: Police in Putnam County, Georgia, rescued 86 members of a Peruvian evangelical sect who were attempting to fast themselves to death in preparation for the end of the world, predicted for 2003.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers cutting-edge technology, particularly in military applications and space exploration. There is a clear focus on scientific discoveries and the challenges of space missions, often highlighting both the achievements and the failures. The editorial stance appears to be one of informing the public about these developments, including critical analyses of organizations like NASA and ethical considerations surrounding new military technologies. The inclusion of diverse topics, from autonomous weapons to Mars geology and even doomsday cults, suggests a broad interest in phenomena that push the boundaries of current understanding and capability.