Clint Shirk

Statement of my opinion from an Accomplished Aerospace Engineer, on Aircraft Lighting and Drone or UAP Sightings Washington, D.C. – December 22, 2024 – As an aerospace engineer with extensive experience in both manned and unmanned aircraft, I feel it's crucial to address the intersection between Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lighting regulations and the increasing reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs). Aircraft lighting, mandated by the FAA for safety, includes position lights, anti-collision lights, and landing lights, which are vital for visibility, especially during nighttime or adverse weather conditions. However, these lights, particularly when seen through clouds, fog, or haze, can be misinterpreted by observers. In my professional experience, I've noted that under certain atmospheric conditions, aircraft lights can appear to pulse, hover, or move in ways that might not immediately be recognizable as conventional aircraft. This phenomenon is exacerbated by the way light scatters or gets diffused in different environmental contexts, leading to sightings that could be reported as UAPs or UFOs. Pilots sometimes adjust lighting for safety reasons, like turning off strobes to avoid blinding other pilots or ground crews, or to prevent glare in night vision scenarios. These operational decisions can result in aircraft temporarily becoming less visible, then suddenly reappearing with lights on, which might contribute to confusion among observers. It's important for the public to understand that these lighting dynamics can explain many UAP reports. While genuine anomalies might exist, a significant portion of sightings likely stem from the complex interplay between aircraft operations and environmental conditions. I encourage those who witness such phenomena to report them to appropriate bodies like the National UFO Reporting Center, as these reports can help in distinguishing between aircraft activity and truly unexplained events. With my background in aviation, I advocate for a scientific and systematic approach to analyzing these sightings, considering all known factors before attributing them to the unknown. For further discussion on this topic or for detailed inquiries, I am available to provide insights based on my experience in the aerospace field. About Jerry Brooks: Jerry has served in the aerospace industry for over 49 years, specializing in the design, operation, and safety of both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles.

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"We're not 'stuck' - we're just not going anywhere." FUTURE #CTPSPACE #TRAVEL Future #CTPcraft won't need Reaction Control Systems (RCS) or deal with these types of systemic 'leaks' (https://lnkd.in/gWp4zfDt) such as these. All of these fuel values, hoses, thrusters are ALL potential points of failure. Each a liability (safety). In #space - not a good thing to trouble with. One major/minor fuel-line pressure/ pressurization or thruster issue and your entire craft is at risk! Those gimble points via RCS are ALL needed to orient your craft/attitude for reentry trajectory as well. Our future advanced #CTPcraft will NOT require RCS (sub)systems, monitoring systems, installation, thruster pods, thruster hose/lines, valves, fittings, flanges, or the weight or space required that could be dedicated to other ship's systems. THIS KID IS OUT OF HIS MIND! But who's listening to me? I'm just 'some freak with a 'theory'. Some nobody. Whacka-doo-froo-froo guy no one's ever heard of with some deceased obscure mentor thinks he's got the science used by #UFOs/#UAPs or the #nextbigthing. "Let's point fingers and laugh children! This 'Reso' idiot thinks #UFOtech he calls #CTPtech stands a chance to revolutionize the #spaceindustry! Nerve of that guy! And safer space travel to boot than present space capsules? Bah! What nerve!" (https://lnkd.in/e-8e6fAY) #newscience #innovation #futuretech #deeptech

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Here’s a peek into a cislunar application of optimal estimation and control explored by my team for a class project last semester. Our goal was to design an optimal transfer for a low-thrust spacecraft from an equatorial lunar orbit to an L1 halo orbit, optimally estimate our spacecraft’s state using a square root extended Kalman filter, and implement model predictive control about a linearized trajectory. The result is a realistic simulation including disturbances and estimation error which minimizes fuel used during the orbit transfer. Credit for animating the results belongs to Jerry Varghese.

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Axiom Space makes large changes to their space station plans. Now will only fly one module to the ISS prior to ISS end of life. https://lnkd.in/gKbMTKUQ

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Is it a Rocket? Is it a Submarine? Is it a Missile? It's all three, it's a Cylinder! For the ENGR 40861 Mechanical Systems Lab II Final Project this year, we're exploring the modal characteristics of a Cylinder. Shown are students Audrey Doffing, Nebiyou Daniel Mezgebu, Devy Soth, and Christopher Rapkoch performing modal testing using an instrumented hammer on our Cylinder test article. This year students are using Siemens PLM Software Simcenter Testlab software for data acquisition and their PolyMAX modal curve-fitting software for their experimental analysis. The students will be comparing their test results with a finite element analysis performed in Autodesk Inventor Professional. At the start of the project, the students were tasked with computing theoretical predictions of the first three beam bending, torsional, and axial modes of the cylinder using the Robert Blevins Mode Shape book. Another topic introduced in the lab was Timoshenko Beam Theory. The students will need to calculate beam bending natural frequencies with both Euler-Bernoulli and Timoshenko Beam Theories and compare the results to their numerical model and experimental test results. #LeadOnTCU #TCUCSE

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At the beginning of 2024, aerospace analysts predicted a global target of 250 space launches for the year. In reality, 261 launches were completed, exceeding the target by 11 launches, a surplus completion rate of 4.4%, meaning 4.4% more launches were completed than expected. As the largest contributor to the total number of launches, SpaceX initially planned a target of 148 launches in 2024 (144 planned for the year and 4 carried over from the previous year). They ultimately completed 138 launches (134 Falcon rocket launches and 4 Starship test flights), achieving a completion rate of 93.2%. The primary reasons for SpaceX falling short of its target were the repeated suspensions of Falcon rocket launches and delays in Starship testing approvals by the FAA. China, which set a target of 100 launches at the beginning of the year, completed 68, achieving a completion rate of 68%. The main factors contributing to the shortfall were a significant slowdown in the launch cadence of private commercial space companies, with failures and test accidents from companies like iSpace and Space Pioneer causing severe impacts. Globally, there were 261 space launches in 2024, with 253 successful launches, resulting in a success rate of 96.9%. Eight launches failed, including two partial failures, leading to a failure rate of 3%. High-frequency launches demand more stable and reliable technical support, and the six failures and two partial failures in 2024 highlight ongoing technical and resource bottlenecks in space activities. 来自微信公众号：三体引力波

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📡 𝗣𝗢𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧: Airpower is a fundamentally agile, dynamic force. That requires a highly skilled, team-oriented set of capabilities. Listen to learn more about contingency response airmen are at the heart of the effort. The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies FULL EPISODE: https://lnkd.in/eiraWqUf #AirForce #USAF #SpaceForce #USSF #Airman #Guardian

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🌟 Meet our incredible members! This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Tom McDaniel from L3Harris Technologies. Tom discusses how DII has helped him and his organization. What is one way that you and your organization use DII? To me the most valuable part of DII is networking with other members offline using Member Connect and in-person during the annual Best Practices Forum (BPF) to share ideas and learn how others are implementing their respective ethics programs. Check out his full spotlight at www.dii.org #DIICommunity #ethicsandcompliance

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Good afternoon, The following position is posted on USAJOBS and is open to receive applications. There is one vacancy for this position. It has been opened with one area of consideration for applicants starting on Thursday, 18 April. Below is the announcement link: Open To: Public Title: Professor of Aircraft Operations (Intermittent) Series/Grade/Band(s): AD-1801-11/12/13 Open: 18 April 2024 Close: 2 May 2024 1 Vacancy in Duty Location: Home of Record BU: CCM USA Jobs Vacancy Announcement Direct Link: https://lnkd.in/eypBTJHj Please read the entire job announcement closely before you take the time to apply. It's critical to read the sections entitled "Qualifications", "How you will be evaluated", and "Required documents". The required documents are required every time you apply for a position to include internal positions. Never assume that because your existing records reflect something (e.g., veteran's status), that you don't need to supply the documents again. Always supply everything that is requested, whether you think you need to or not. Read the "Qualifications" and "How You Will Be Evaluated" sections as these provide important information about the specialized experience required to be considered for the job and explains the review process that will be applied by the hiring activity.  v/r Follow us on social media: @DAUNow Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram

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Performance Defense CEO, Tim Bigelow, and President, Darren C., had some great engagements at #AFA's Air, Space, and Cyber Conference last week and look forward to seeing everyone again next year! While there were several talking points throughout the week surrounding the current state of aviation and space technologies, this panel discussion was a highlight. Read more on how the Air Force plans to embrace cyber as a weapon of war in this recap article: https://hubs.ly/Q02QDy4W0

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Attention industry leaders! The USAF is seeking input for a potential 10-year contract for operation & maintenance services at Eglin Air Force Base. Responses to the RFI are due May 20. CRG stands ready to support the right firm in providing valuable feedback, crafting a winning strategy, and developing a competitive proposal. Let CRG be your trusted partner in navigating this opportunity. Learn more at https://crgroupinc.com/ - [email protected]. The Eglin Operation and Maintenance Services II Program will support research and development, training missions and test and evaluation of military weapons and military aerospace equipment, according to a request for information published Friday. EOMS II covers five major areas: general support services; range support services; range instrumentation; explosive test facilities; and major ground test facilities. Work on the recompete contract is expected to kick off in April 2026. #AirForceContracting #EglinAFB #OperationAndMaintenance #GovernmentContracts #ContractingOpportunity #CRGExpertise #WinningSolutions #CaptureToCloseOut

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Check out the 2024 Hypersonic News, part of AIAA's Aerospace America Year in Review! This article, co-written by Liz Stein and me, highlights key developments in hypersonics.

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One of my strongest professional skills is how proficient I am at blinking during important photos

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