SpaceX says its rocket performed exactly as intended in Zuma launch

Re:SpaceX says its rocket performed exactly as intended in Z... by imglorp on Tuesday January 09, 2018 @02:47PM (#16109232)

Sure you can do the chaff thing, but the backyard telescope guys--and any big guys with radar--will still see a new object and log it. A little math will pair its orbit with the launch.

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Re:SpaceX says its rocket performed exactly as intended in Z... by ceejayoz on Tuesday January 09, 2018 @03:23PM (#16109652)

I'm not talking about chaff, I'm talking about low reflectivity paint (to reduce spotting via visual observation) and stealth to prevent radar detection (ala F-117 or B2). Maybe you even mosey on up to a known piece of debris and attach to it.

Chaff's handy for making it look like the launcher had an issue, but you need something else for ongoing evasion.

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Re:SpaceX says its rocket performed exactly as intended in Z... by imglorp on Tuesday January 09, 2018 @03:38PM (#16109816)

Ah, good point. Given that's 80s tech they're probably way ahead of this even. You're right, the oops-we-lost-it gambit is more relevant than ever.

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