On the surface, it may sound like the plot for the upcoming Austin Powers film, but in reality it’s not. China is planning on using weather control to ensure the opening ceremonies for the upcoming Olympic games go off without a hitch. Well, at least without a hitch weatherwise.Â
Because the Chinese Olympic Stadium lacks a roof, Beijing’s Weather Modification Office is working to make sure spectators and world dignitaries at the opening ceremonies don’t get drenched.
How you ask?
An IBM p575 supercomputer is being used to provide hourly weather forecasts for 17,000 square miles around the city.
If rain clouds are expected the Weather Modification Office can call on 1,500 staff with 30 aircraft to drop chemicals into the clouds to force them to drop their water early.
A further 37,000 part-time staff can fire additional materials into the clouds using 7,113 anti-aircraft guns and 4,991 rocket launchers.
Zhang Qian, head of Beijing’s Weather Modification Office, told MIT’s Technical Review: “We use a coolant made from liquid nitrogen to increase the number of droplets while decreasing their average size.
“As a result, the smaller droplets are less likely to fall, and precipitation can be reduced.”
Cloud seeding is not new, but it is thought that China has taken the technology further than any other country.Â
Let’s just hope this technology doesn’t fall into the hands of Dr. Evil
Or let’s hope this kind of technology doesn’t fall into the hands of crazy people like… the Chinese… dang it.
No seriously… Anti-Aircraft guns and rocket launchers?! Um… does anyone else think this is STUPID?
Per Bartok the bat in Anastasia, this can only end in tears.
Oh dear, now you’ve done it.
I’m pretty certain Dr. Evil reads Slice of Sci-Fi. You’ve just played right into his hands.
Seriously, I’m with Jim… seems like the wrong kind of environment to be firing off thousands of rocket launchers…
Why do you have such a stupid idea? China loves peace. China didn’t declare any war to any country. On the contrary, America Army kills thousands even millions innocent people all over the world, especially in the Middle East. Who is the Dr. Evil now? You tell me.
Dude, the U. S. has been doing this since the 70’s, since 97 theyve been increasing the levels of barrium to raise the electrical charge, all theyu need is a slight one percent increase to manipulate… god bless america