UFO Potpourri No 393

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO POTPOURRI
Issue: 393
Date: September 1995
Publisher: John F. Schuessler, Houston, TX

Beam Rider: A New UFO Propulsion Concept

The lead article, "BEAM RIDER," introduces the work of Professor Leik N. Myrabo of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on a novel vehicle design. This craft is envisioned as disc-shaped, encased in a plasma sheath, and capable of flying at speeds many times that of sound without producing a sonic boom. Such vehicles have been reported globally as UFOs, and no current agency can duplicate their flight.

Myrabo's initial concept involved flying on "highways of light" powered by heavy-duty ground-based lasers, a project previously funded by the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO). After SDIO dropped funding for the 100-megawatt laser, Myrabo shifted his focus to high-powered microwaves.

His current plan involves using microwaves generated from sunlight by a high-flying satellite. The satellite would beam pulsed microwave energy to the disc-shaped craft. This energy would be collected by built-in rectifying antennas, converting much of it into electrical power for the vehicle and focusing the remainder outward. One antenna would generate a plasma interacting with superconducting magnets to form a magnetic nozzle, propelling the plasma downward for forward thrust. Another antenna would focus ahead of the craft, creating an "air spike" to reduce aerodynamic drag and shield the vehicle from shock waves. Myrabo aims to use an air-breathing magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) engine to achieve speeds from Mach 1 to Mach 25. Professor Myrabo can be reached at the Rensselaer Dept. of Mechanical Engineering in Troy, NY.

The article includes a diagram illustrating the "ANNULAR MICROWAVE BEAM" concept, showing a "MICROWAVE - INDUCED EXPLOSION" at an "IGNITION POINT," an "OBLIQUE SHOCK WAVE," and a "FOCUSING MICROWAVE BEAM" directed by an "ANNULAR MIRROR." It also depicts "CIRCUMFERENTIAL ELECTRODES (2)" and "RIM ELECTRODES" interacting with an "APPLIED MAGNETIC FIELD" and "ELECTRIC CURRENT THROUGH AIR BETWEEN RIM ELECTRODES." A caption explains that in hypersonic flight, externally powered "Lightcraft" use magnetohydrodynamic effects to accelerate air past its hull, with focused microwaves shaping shockwaves ahead of the ship to act as an inlet spike.

Alien Autopsy Puzzles Scientists

This section compiles reports and expert opinions on controversial television footage allegedly depicting the dissection of two aliens. The footage is linked to the "Roswell incident" of 1947.

London Observer Service Report (7/26/95):

The footage is described as either the "science story of the century" or the "greatest hoax since Piltdown Man." It was reportedly made in the wake of the Roswell crash, with a copy kept by the cameraman without the U.S. Air Force's knowledge. Leading UK scientists who viewed advance screenings were unable to confirm they saw real aliens but also could not identify how the film was faked.

Paleontologist Chris Stringer of London's Natural History Museum found the figures "certainly looked human like, but equally were not human." Dr. C. M. Milroy, senior lecturer in forensic pathology at Sheffield University, reported that the figures had overall appearances of a "white adolescent female with a humanoid body," but noted a lack of breast development, no pubic hair, a disproportionately large head, no head hair, a distended abdomen, and six digits on each hand and foot. The eyes were larger than normal and covered with a black material. Milroy also suggested the examination might have been conducted by a surgeon rather than an experienced autopsy pathologist.

Anatomist Dr. Paul O'Higgins of University College, London, noted that the autopsy appeared to be conducted in a couple of hours, which he found insufficient for alien creatures, calling it an "unparalleled opportunity to science." He also pointed out that all shots of internal organs were out of focus and there were no signs of injuries to account for the aliens' deaths.

Dr. O'Higgins found the human-like qualities suspicious, stating, "They look like ET. I would think the chances than an alien would look so like us would be astronomically remote." He acknowledged the six fingers and large head but noted these can be associated with human chromosomal abnormalities, questioning how two such similar corpses could have been created.

Ray Santilli, owner of Merlin Productions, claims to have bought the footage from an old cameraman who worked for the army, air force, and special forces, expressing confidence in the cameraman's authenticity.

John Purdey, producer of a Channel 4 film on the footage, remains cautious, suggesting it could be either a sensational scientific story or a "greatest fake." He cited the film stock, lack of umbilical cord marks, and the "strange half-human nature" as elements that could suggest real aliens or an elaborate forgery.

GAO Says UFO Info 'Wrong' (Daily Record, Roswell, NM, 6/13/95):

National columnist Jack Anderson reported that General Accounting Office investigators concluded that information provided by the Air Force to U.S. Rep. Steve Schiff regarding the Roswell Incident was "very wrong."

Schiff Probing Alien Autopsy (Journal, Albuquerque, NM, 7/19/95):

U.S. Rep. Steve Schiff is investigating the 15-minute alien autopsy film. While not endorsing the footage, he is not dismissing it, stating, "If this is a hoax, it was certainly elaborately done. It looked real to me."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine focuses on fringe science, advanced propulsion concepts, and unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs and alleged extraterrestrial encounters. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting controversial topics and expert opinions without definitively endorsing or debunking them. The inclusion of scientific analysis alongside anecdotal reports suggests an attempt to provide a balanced perspective on complex and often speculative subjects.