An interesting science 'news' piece sent by an internet friend-
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/02/07/MN200326.DTL
I have no idea if there is anything to this theory or not, but here
is one possible alternative explanation for the shuttle disaster,
now that the initial theory about wing impact from falling foam
insulation is starting to lose favor. Was the shuttle hit by a
'sprite'? Apparently it is true that the ionosphere sometimes has
huge static electrical charges moving around in it ( more robust
than 'regular' lightning).
The ionosphere is still not well understood. There are other
electrical phenomena in addition to the highly variable radio
propagation we see on a regular basis. We know the crucial role
that ionized particles play in radio propagation, but what about
large static charges? Any influence at all?
Certainly if it develops that the shuttle might have been unlucky
enough to trigger a 'sprite', there might be some rethinking of
airframe design for orbital vehicles. Is it possible to have the
equivalent of static discharge wicks on the space shuttle, like
we see on the trailing edges of conventional aircraft wings?
(Perhaps making use of electrically-conductive, high-temperature
ceramic composite materials?) Would this even be desirable?
My question for the scientifically inclined in the group: could
large static charges play any role in the transient propagation
we sometimes see on the low bands? Do we need only have
large *ionic* gradients for skew, ducting, etc.- or could large
static charges also be involved somehow, to any degree?
(perhaps by influencing distribution/shape of ionized areas?)
73, David K3KY
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