July 5 News Items

U.S. Not Prepared for Possible Asteroid Strike, Group Says (Source: LA Times)
A group of scientists, joined by a member of Congress, used the 100th anniversary of the Tunguska asteroid event this week to draw attention to their belief that the United States is not doing enough to defend the planet against the dangers posed by near-Earth objects. "We are not prepared at this time to prevent the massive death and destruction that would occur if an object from space hit the Earth as it did in Tunguska," said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) at a news conference at the Pasadena offices of the Planetary Society. (7/5)

Embry-Riddle Leads FAA Group Developing New Airport Lighting System (Source: ERAU)
One of the leading causes of general-aviation fatal accidents is incorrect aircraft maneuvering and landing, especially during evening and nighttime hours, according to researchers at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. This is especially critical in remote locations that often depend on air transportation as the only means to handle medical and disaster-related emergencies. To combat the problem, Embry-Riddle researchers and their partners from the University of Alaska-Anchorage (UAA), the University of North Dakota and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) are working for the FAA Center of Excellence for General Aviation to improve nighttime safety at small general aviation airports with an innovative, low-cost, and highly portable Remote Airport Light System (RALS) that uses LED lights and retro-reflective markers. (7/3)

Satellites Help U.S. Monitor Iraqi Army (Source: AIA)
The U.S. is keeping tabs on Iraq through the use of surveillance satellites. The National Reconnaissance Office deploys six satellites that provide images from Iraq up to four times a day. The photos track troop movements on the ground and provide other logistics information on the Iraqi army. (7/3)