Also, much of the MH370 search area includes some very rugged seafloor. If or when it sank, the wreckage may be located in the underwater equivalent of very mountainous terrain. Just like above water, it's a lot easier to find something in the desert (abyssal plain) than in the mountains.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/missing-flight-...
Re:MH370 Debris Storm
by hydrogen18 on Friday March 11, 2016 @06:56PM
(#11270481)
While I appreciate your point A for optical wavelengths, space based radar is definitely a thing. Optical wavelengths are undoubtedly more popular however.
Re:MH370 Debris Storm
by minipci1321 on Friday March 11, 2016 @06:49AM
(#11266028)
Weaponized, 1967-88: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US-A
Which used a fast fission (!!!) reactor (i.e. not quite a nuclear kaboom operating mode).
More generally: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_radar
Re:MH370 Debris Storm
by PhasmaFelis on Friday March 11, 2016 @10:12AM
(#11267021)
"Although the test program was considered a success, no plans were pursued to fly any of the reactors."
Edit: I misunderstood the wiki article. Carry on.
That's just the TOPAZ-II model, the 2 of the earlier model flew, and 31 for the Soviet's military radar satellites.
That Russia was willing to work with us and share the TOPAZ-II is yet another sign of how much things changed after the Evil Empire fell.
A: Is impossible - no satellite has enough energy to illuminate anything, they all use the sun for light and just take pictures.
B: Water blocks almost all forms of light, you need sonar to see anything under there.