From 'smart rocks' come 'brilliant pebbles'

Journal Article · Sat Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1990 · Aerospace America; (USA)

OSTI ID:6777461

Wood, L ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, CA (USA)

The development of the brilliant pebbles concept as part of the SDI kinetic kill vehicle mechanism is reviewed. The way in which the pebbles collide with a ballistic missile or reentry vehicle is outlined. Consideration is given to the computing capacity of the pebbles, the ground-based control of the pebbles, and the way in which the pebbles maneuver during flight. The pebble autonomy at the system level and at the individual level is described. Plans for the first suborbital pebble test flights and issues concerning the performance of the brilliant pebbles as a ballistic missile defense system are examined.

• OSTI ID: 6777461
• Journal Information: Aerospace America; (USA), Journal Name: Aerospace America; (USA) Vol. 28; ISSN AEAME; ISSN 0740-722X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450500* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Strategic Defense Initiative-- (1990-)
AUTOMATION
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
CONTROL
FLIGHT TESTING
MISSILES
NATIONAL DEFENSE
PERFORMANCE
PLANNING
SPACE VEHICLES
SPACE WEAPONS
TESTING
VEHICLES