For the present, there are numerous ways in which Skyhook presents wide-ranging potential for symbiotic combination with LASER technologies. We are still riding the wave of new technological developments, continually "pushing the envelope", or "advancing the curve" of LASER communications. LASER transmission has the potential to enable high-volume communications over long distances. In fact, there is nothing that matches LASER communications for comunications capacity (which is a direct function of communications "band-width"), but LASER transmission could be impacted by special problems, such as high "noise" interference. LASER communications may also be impacted by atmospheric conditions, or adverse weather patterns (particularly, cloud cover).
LASER communications are theoretically capable of great distances, but somewhat less than the distances described earlier, in the discussion of radio communications. In those discussions, line-of-sight range could be determined directly by antenna altitudes, which were easy to specify by curvature-of-the-earth formulas where altitudes were specified in thousands of feet, AGL (Above Ground Level). Those ranges given must be de-rated for LASER communications, given that line-of-sight distances for LASER communications may be determined by altitudes specified as "ACL" altitudes (altitudes, "Above Cloud Level"). Cloud layers are usually encountered at altitudes from 2 to 10 thousand feet above the clouds. Above that level, however, there is clear air in which to conduct LASER-based communications. Skyhooks employed in LASER-based communications may have to perform a sort of "Cloud dancing" - ranging throughout the hemisphere, avoiding the clouds, or finding clear air to go over, under, and around them.
Computer models may be used to control Skyhook positioning, adapting and adjusting as needed to deal with various special circumstances, as well as vagaries in patterns of communications traffic. Computer models could ascertain the best position for cloud avoidance, perhaps by finding the highest clouds, and directing Skyhook to take a position directly above their peaks. Computer modeling would be dependent for its input upon the National Weather Services, of course, but the inter-relationship could be symbiotic, given Skyhook's usefulness as an elevated platform for cloud-cover observations through use of its onboard cameras. Skyhook observations could be better than satellite composites, being up-to-the moment observations taken from a more wide-angle perspective, and perhaps more detailed, though its view may be restricted to its line-of-sight (350 mile radius). Skyhook observations may be used to gain better appreciation for cloud structure in 3-D, which could be helpful in performing better tracking of severe weather patterns, such as tornado and hurricane.
Quite likely, the most ideal conditions for LASER communications may occur during the off-peak hours, at night. Though it may not be possible to achieve the full 400-mile line-of-sight ranges with LASER communications, given the limitations of current LASER technology, it may someday be possible to achieve an 800 mile combined transmission-link distance. If that were possible, some 32 of these links could "girdle the globe" to create the so-called "global crossing" enabling the linking of third world countries into a more inclusive world community. Skyhook LASER communications platforms could provide a realistic scheme to accomplish this objective (as opposed to a certain infamous, if not fraudulent, fiasco of recent news-note). A great deal of economic and social benefit could be provided by Skyhooks lining the coasts of the South American, Australian, and African continents, and the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America.
A skyhook device of minimum weight and power requirements may be sufficient for LASER-based through-communications, but a much heavier skyhook device may result from demand for high seas network communications services for cruise ships and US Navy vessels, such as ship-to-shore telephone and wide-band 802.11 WAN INTERNET access, organized both in "cells", and in hierarchical networks, providing both local access and long-distance "trunks". These services might require fairly "heavy" communications modules, however, due to the sophisticated network-controller electronics.
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