Satellites and Memeering

A couple of "expert" readers have checked in with additional thoughts on the US spy satellite which the government is about to start shooting at.  One reader officers this on the use of plutonium onboard such craft:

"Plutonium 238 is/was used as a primary fuel in spy satellites. The hydrazine story is a smokescreen. Pu238 decays so fast (88-yr half-life) it is used to produce thermoelectricity by a process that boils a liquid and the condensation of the liquid (mercury used to be used) creates a thermal-gradient voltage. Two immense plants were under construction a couple of years ago, I believe either in Idaho or Montana to produce kilograms of Pu238 . As I remember these plants would need many tons of purified uranium in special reactors to produce kilograms of the stuff. It has no use except in satellites or on long-term space shots. The Russians were experimenting with Pu241, which is a beta emitter having a half-life of only 14 years, but it was literally “too hot to handle” except, maybe, as a weapon. Bulk grams of Pu238 are red hot for years. Pu241 is difficult to produce and forms hot plasma but its powerful beta emissions made its oxide as a coating a candidate for electrodes in satellite batteries.

A microgram of any of the Pu species lodged in a lung can produce cancer from both or either chemical and radioactive reactions."

Now to say that the hydrazine angle is a 'smokescreen' may sound like a strong claim, but another reader, an Alabama chemical engineer with some training in such things, send along some interesting information about it (such as price) here as well as offering this to the time monks and me:

"Fellows: I have some experience with hydrazine in it's many uses. It was commonly used to add to the condensate return lines in steam boilers at power plants. It's structure is H2-N-N-H2 (two hydrogen bonded to each nitrogen). It wants to break down into H2 and N2 where the N-N is a very stable triple bond, as in the 79% of air that is nitrogen. When added to boiler water, it carries over into the steam, and then to the condensed steam, where it reacts with any CO2 absorbed from the air. The CO2 forms carbonic acid that eats out the condensate return piping, that recovers the water for reuse. Without the recovery the cost of water skyrockets. Because it is flammable and corrosive to skin and eyes, it is not commonly used anymore.

I am wondering, if the toxic effects are so high, why there was not more outcry and noticeable effects when the two space shuttles came down. The first had a full tank of everything, and I believe was either LiqH2+LiqO2 powered or H4N2+O2 powered.

I have attached the Material Safety Data Sheets for Hydrazine (anhydrous, with desiccants added to absorb all the water) and Hydrazine Hydrate (with absorbed water in the molecule) . All have the same skin absorption tox data, of about 500-600 Mg/Kg for 4 hours. This is a pretty high air concentration. The tank is about 1000 lbs, and the specific gravity if the same as water, so it has the same density as water, which is 62.4 lbs/ft3. This means we are dealing with about 16 cu. Ft. or about 120 gallons. This is not a very big volume spill, especially when you look at the air volume into which it is dispersed, and realize that the stuff reacts spontaneously with water. When it touches the humidity in the air, it will degrade into N2 and O2 and water, all innocuous stuff. If it did not react, the volume you are releasing it into is such that it will never reach the odor detectible limit (3.7 ppm, before the nose knows, says the MSDS).

Even if it is a school-bus sized tank of nothing but hydrazine, it is not going to be that concentrated when it gets to ground level. And look at the section 6 and section 8 of the MSDS's, the instructions for cleanup of small and large spills. All that is required for small is dilute with water and mop up. Larger spills require vapor protection and ignition protection. The stuff will burn even when dissolved in water, at high enough concentrations. But when you back up and look at the hype and breathless reporting, as George has noted, is this a problem or is it something the PTB want us to focus on so we do not look at the real problem. As you note below, this stuff will just burn in the air, and is not going to affect anyone on the ground.

I am thinking that the hydrazine is the "curtain" and they are waving it because they want us to ignore the "little man" behind it. There is something on that satellite that the PTB do not want recovered by anyone other than themselves on the ground, and so they will destroy it before it comes down in a place they cannot control, or in pieces large enough to be identified on the ground. And that thing is not hydrazine.

PU is fatal chronically (over long periods of exposure, causing cancer) in the concentration of one PU atom for a cubic foot of air. Literally, if you inhale one PU atom, ever, you are a goner. So that material could be a panic inducer if it is on board. But this is usually used only for extra-system space travel, not orbits. So is it some other material or data on board. What images was this thing transmitting? Planet X? Asteroid?

(name withheld)

PE, Chemical Engineer Birmingham, AL"

All of which is interesting, to say the least ()along with how my email now gives me the message that it wants to "connecting to server" for something or other (PU references probably trigger at least some electronic monitoring - and perhaps with good cause.

Nevertheless, as I explained last Monday, there's this little matter of 'memeering' on the internet as a way to prepare the public for what comes next - and here's an email that goes exactly to the point:

"Dear Mr Ure,

Regarding your discussion today (Friday) on UrbanSurvival about the planned 6 Mar 08 shoot-down of the "spy satellite". I noted a couple of interesting tidbits that, assuming you don't already know, you might like to hear.

First is the fact that the concerns you posted came out on at least one MSM message board (MSNBC) A FULL DAY before you or any of the alternative news sites (that I read) discussed it. That is unusual to say the least! Normally, it's at least two days (more like 4 months in the case of the housing meltdown) after alternative sites break news before posters catch on to the "there's more than meets the eye" items. Moreover, the concerns expressed matched yours nearly exactly, right down to the question of why the fuel is being emphasized so much. Most tellingly, no two well-known posters jumped in to degenerate serious discussion of current events into the "You're a stupid bloviating cow/No, you are!" diversions that are predictable almost down to the number of posts it takes for them to appear. Seems as if "someone" really does want those questions to catch on?!

Second, a poster over at the Surfing the Apocalypse website pointed out something interesting. 6 Mar 08 is a Gregorian date....in the Julian calendar, the date would be 22 Feb 08. Not sure, but I seem to recall you mentioning that date before (?). Since I live very much in the zone you mapped today, I plan on not being there sometime prior to then!"

There's lots of other traffic showing up on the net is postings - and since the time monks report they have deployed the spyders to go start sweeping discussion groups and fora for data that will freed the forthcoming ALTA 1308 report - the volume of stuff crossing modelspace will likely increase.

There's some comfort in the idea that the current satellite track seems to take if over central Alaska down to  Rio de Janeiro, but that's right now -with 10 days to go and no telling what precession and Navy missile file will be doing to that.

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The NY Times reports today that "Missile Defense Future May Turn on Success of Mission to Destroy Satellite" - something we wish the 'Nebraska Navy" all the luck in the world with.

But, because we have all the language in modelspace (not to mention some geographic descriptors in modelspace which *may or may NOT* mean something), we'll just start tracking a few Google news hits on keywords like "famine" and "shortage" in a short term index for Peoplenomics.com subscribers this weekend.

War Clock

As developments in the Middle East continue pointing toward increasing tensions, I got an email from (yet a third reader) that goes some ways down the 'what's going on' behind the curtains idea:

George,

I was just thinking to myself what a coincidence it is that the Iranian Oil Bourse is scheduled to launch on Feb. 17 and this corresponds to the timing of the "shoot out in space" coming from the military on the satellite just a few days later. Is it just me or does this start bells and whistles to go off in other peoples mind too. The Iranian Oil Bourse will not being trading oil in the USD. Just like Sodom Hussein was going to do just before we took him out. Oh, did I mention Hugo Chavez doesn't want the USD either or North Korea and they are all now part of the axis of evil too. Are we truly fighting to protect the American people from the radical Islamic or are we fighting to protect the USD and we all know who this involves, the Federal Reserve System Inc. owners.

Of course, we can't forget that missing nuclear bomb from the unauthorized flight over the U.S. where there was supposed to be 6, but only 5 are accounted for. Something is going on here!

It seems that the Federal Reserve Inc. owners are using our military for their own agenda and we have to pay for it via the income tax/enslavement. Of course, they are only protecting us U.S. citizens from the axis of evil/terrorists. Hog wash!!! When they launch that missile to take out the satellite we all just might want to bend over, put our heads between our legs and then kiss our asses goodbye. The great Mogambo Guru just might be right when he says, "We are all freaking doomed"!!!

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 That's it for me, I'm headed for the frig. for a jigger of a new found beverage, Pomegranate Liqueur which is quite tasty, then a walk out side on this clear night in west central Illinois to look for those UFO's that are suppose to be showing up anytime now to save our sorry butts."

No need to get testy (or drunk) about it.  We still have the UN working this fall on getting the mass of humans ready for the 'contract' meme, and in the meantime, we still have the soaring tensions, soaring oil prices, and (stick around a few weeks) new war to deal with.

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In Denmark, we have newspapers reprinting those cartoons, offensive to Muslims for they mockery of the Prophet.  The headlines that "Danish Youths riot for sixth-night" are about as close to a non-surprise as you'll find.

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Then, a little closer to where the fighting will soon break out, we read that "Hamas, Jihad vows revenge after killing of 8 people in Gaza."

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Then, as Israel is moving troops to the North and East, we read how (near that border, Iran and Syria are teaming up to find the killer(s) of the Hama leader assassinated this week.

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Against this background, my profits in short-term oil options were only a return of 400-some percent (or a gain of 300-some percent, if you want to talk gain only).  And, I'm not the only guy playing it. Widely swinging prices in oil have been just a gift to commodity gunslingers, and the meek and mild-mannered types like me.

As we get a little closer to satellite 'down time' no doubt the internet hysteria about such things will build, speculation about famine seems likely to increase, and the national chewed fingernail index seems likely to head up.

Never one to look a gift headline in the mouth, I waded back into wheat call options at the end of the week, disappointed that my Friday to Thursday statements reflected a mere 19.375% increase for 4/5th of the week.  Maybe it'll look better this morning when the new statement comes in.

The Runs: Russian into Things

"At a minimum, a head of state should have a head".  No, not a surly morning around here - a comment on what's-her-name from Vlad Putin.

Where's That Football?

In Africa, presumably with Mr. and Mrs. Decider doing a little world tour.  Racking up of mileage awards on Air Force One, maybe?

Headline of the Day Award

To the Chicago Sun-Times for this gem:  "Gunman "somewhat erratic'.  No sh*t?

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This being "Wrong Problem Week" a reader offers (correctly) that "The problem isn't the guns.  It's the drugs that corppharma is pushing on everyone."  Well, duh.

Nothing to Sneeze At

The CDC Flu map...

Sorry State of Affairs

As I pointed out in the Tuesday report, seemed to me that Australia saying "So Sorry!" for wrecking a perfectly decent continent and destroying first people's and their cultural heritage wouldn't be sufficient. 

Two points today.  1) The aboriginals are planning to sue the invaders (* some of my own family surname are actually in history books there, but t'weren't me) and 2) The reason that first peoples are an appreciating resource is  that the generational learning of everyone from Alaska natives, to North American first peoples and the Aboriginals (not to overlook half of Africa while we're at it) is incredibly valuable because they folks got along without high def TV and Vista.  Think we might be able to learn a little something from them? Communicating over long distances without texting and a monthly bill? OMG these folks are dangerous!  Eating without a credit card?  TEOTWAWKI! Get real...

"Wrong Problem Week" Capper

I started off Monday with a rant about how our "leaders" (using the term loosely!) have a marvelous way of solving the wrong problem.

Today, we have an EU executive calling for a European Border Patrol and biometric ID'ing of people going to the EU

Clearly, the EU has figured ouit that if the US can keep economically afloat by pouring money like mad into "security" and stun guns, then in order to ensure the same kind of economic growth in the EU, they need to whip up a little more 'terrorism fear', invade a few more countries, and do a little more back-room germ warfare development.

The underlying problem of too many people fighting over too few resources has an inevitable outcome: Dying oceans, oil past peak, and a corpgov economic system that exploits labor wage rate differentials for the benefit of the owner class (which we call around here the PTB) are but a few examples.

Those who believe in the myth of the Singularity seem delightfully ignorant of Third World dynamics. But, I suppose that's OK.  Denial is doing its job keeping the markets afloat (for now).

A Hero Steps Aside

As a recovering news manager, I don't have a lot of heroes  Sadly, one of my remaining few, David Walker, US Comptroller General, is stepping aside at the Government Accountability Office.  His next mountain:  A foundation to alert the public to the problems of the financial soundness of the US - in debt to the rest of the world for something like $53 trillion already and more coming thanks to a snoozing CONgress stampeded past thinking by staged events.

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Too often I've seen what were initially people of high integrity turned to trained pets of the powers-that-be or simply raw cash.  Walker's been one of those refreshing exceptions.

It will be a sure sign of our honesty and integrity as a nation to see what kind of replacement is nominated for Walker's position.  Unfortunately, I'm not holding my breath.

No Snip and Save

Just too much going on around here today - but keep sending suggestions to george@ure.net and I will get another update on Monday.

Reader Reminders

A few important reminders

• Remember that this site is updated every morning 6-days a week at 8 AM Texas time (or by 8:15 if you want the most glaring errors corrected).  If you're not seeing the updates daily, hit the "Refresh key" on your browser (the F-5 key in Internet Exploder).  This was brought to my attention by my very sharp neighbor who didn't realize that I had written something since Feb. 7th.

• We have a pretty decent continuously updated headline scanner at www.independencejournal.com

• And, the daily report posted here is also posted at www.independfejouirnal.com/today.htm.  Two reasons for that:  UrbanSurvival is blocked in a lot of places by corporate 'security features' (work, don't think devices) and two, in the event one server farm goes down for any reason (like the sky falling, say) there will still be a way to find out what we've been able to piece together as going on about the planet.

• Nest Saturday morning, I'm planning another  "Urban Survival Ham Net" meeting on the 40 meter band.  Frequency to be announced later on.  That new 2 KW linear amplifier I rebuilt/redesigned a bit is doing a wonderful job...

Around the Ranch: SOHO Improvements

Managing 3 (or more sometimes) computers and 5 to 7 monitors going has become a bit much.  Adding a KVM switch and a FTA satellite TV to the monitoring center here.  Along with a computer-controlled receiver (which is the nth back up of all the other electronics in here).

The new wireless laser printer will replace the one sitting where more monitors can go... They're fairly cheap now and simple enough to install (I hope!).

When all is done, I expect to have just five LCD's at the main work position.  One three monitor laptop for client consulting, web site, and email, while a second laptop will handle wireless cams around the property, the USB TV, network admin, and the USB controlled shortwave monitor.

Does any of this sound like work?  LOL  Not hardly!