Filed under: Internet, Web services, Google
Google Earth being used to find Steve Fossett
Steve Fossett, the "greatest aviator in the world" has been missing for a while now in the Nevada desert. Friends and air patrols have been frantically searching for him, and now Google could be in on the search. Fossett's friend, Sir Richard Branson, of Virgin fame, has tried to locate his buddy by using Google Earth to track his path. Branson has been in communication with his friends at Google to see if they can look over images of the last few days to see whether they can see which direction Fossett had been flying, and if they can pinpoint any disturbances that could have caused any issues.
So far three helicopters and six airplanes are involved in the search, focusing on a 600 sq mile area.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Lefty said 5:16PM on 9-06-2007
Good luck trying to find him with aerial imagery that is a couple years old.
Sir Richard Branson = dumbass
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Evilseed said 5:18PM on 9-06-2007
Greatest Aviator in the World? He is adventurous but the greatest aviator is saying a lot given how many there are in the world. Let’s hope he is found alive and well!
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Correcty said 7:46AM on 9-07-2007
Just because the free google earth contains images a couple of years old doesn't mean the satellites used are not still flying about the sky. Of course the system can get up to date images they are just not going to give that kind of technology away for free!
It must be tough being so stupid
Lefty = dumbass
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Lee said 7:46AM on 9-07-2007
Why the fuck do we care so much about Steve Fosset? How about all those who go missing and aren't dripping in cash? Are all *their* names splashed all over the media? No..
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Chris Gilmer said 7:48AM on 9-07-2007
Lee - the only reason Steve Fossett is on this site because his friend is talking with 'Google' about scanning satellite imagery. And yes, i agree, there should be some funding from somewhere to find anyone who is lost via satellite imagery.
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Lefty said 2:41PM on 9-07-2007
Hey Correcty:
Google Helps in Search for Aviator
"Unfortunately, DigitalGlobe didn't have any pictures available from the area where Fossett took off Monday, said company spokesman Chuck Herring. DigitalGlobe doesn't expect to get any more images from that part of the country again until Saturday."
Shows what you know, Dumbass
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Joe Blackmon said 4:11PM on 9-07-2007
A million dollars worth of publicity is staring you in the face. A photo of the area Fossett went down in published on your site is worth millions. It would also be a humane effort in trying to find the man. Every PC owner would be looking for him on GOOGLE. Every square inch could be searched with no more effort than pushing a mouse around. Who is minding the store? Joe
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Joe Blackmon said 4:03PM on 9-07-2007
A million dollars worth of publicity is staring you in the face. A photo of the area Fossett went down in published on your site is worth millions. It would also be a humane effort in trying to find the man. Every PC owner would be looking for him on GOOGLE. Every square inch could be searched with no more effort than pushing a mouse around. Who is minding the store? Joe
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Jerry said 7:08PM on 9-07-2007
If he was such an awesome pilot he should have left ground control with a flight plan, that way on the "off chance" that such a "great" aviator should crash, they would know about where to look for him. I meet him in St. Louis during his "spectacular Balloon Bullshit" and he was one conceded bastard. TOO GOOD TO LEAVE A FLIGHTPLAN,,,,,TO GOOD TO BE FOUND. BEST PLACE TO LOOK------NEXT TO EMILIA EARHARDT.
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fremont611 said 10:22PM on 9-07-2007
Who gives a flying fuc* about this DUMBASS, If they find this stupid bastard I hope he repays all the money being wasted to find his stuck up ass. Does anybody really give a shi* about what this jackass does. Fly his ass up to the moon and let him adventure his stupid rich ass back.
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Saint Subversive said 2:26PM on 9-09-2007
I live in the area where Fossett is missing, and the hills are indeed alive with the sounds of numerous rescue craft.
I think its ironic that theyve found six plane wrecks from past years (so far) from people who werent nearly as "important" (or wealthy) as Fossett and who therefore never merited the unprecedented level of resources into finding them that is currently being used for this overrated and reckless rich man, who finally ended up rolling the dice of fate once too often. To paraphrase the Beatles, Steve is dead (miss him, miss him).
Another irony: the 2nd big news story of the week is a new tape from Bin Laden. Let's try to be more concerned with that search, it could save thousands of lives. The one here in Nevada can save only one.
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rUhuman said 5:08PM on 9-11-2007
A man is lost.Does it matter...if he's a celebrity or indeed if he has a lot of money?
He is someones son;brother;father or friend.
He is...simply a man.Hopefully still among us.
People looking beyond this simply muddy up the issue.
Please respect anothers life and if reality shows us that this man has departed our company...offer respect and sympathy for his loved ones.
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you guys suck said 8:02PM on 9-11-2007
You guys are some assholes saying that you don't care if he is found or not. Why write something when no one cares to hear it?
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Ken Dockery said 10:03AM on 9-12-2007
He is still a missing PERSON. I'm sure HE wants to be found. I sure some people get lost in their computer.Just because you can spell doesn't mean your smart enough to write.Its better to let people think your a DUMBASS , than to open your mouth and prove it.
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CHRISTINA said 12:34PM on 9-12-2007
F'chrissakes !What a truckload of cynics! this is a brand-new idea. Since Branson has the ways & the means, it was put into effect. I, for one, hope it works. Perhaps after this great idea, something can be developed where we can find ANYONE this way. I'd put money on it.(maybe Branson's money :) After all, we're all being eyed by satellites 24/7 ,anyway.
(& thanks Correcty, for post # 6; my thoughts EXACTLY) Branson=genius (not just for THIS, of course)
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CHRISTINA said 12:45PM on 9-12-2007
Nice, JERRY ... i suppose YOU are a pilot? Brilliant.
By the way, if you're going to put your incredible thoughts out there to be seen by the public- LEARN HOW TO SPELL !!
p.s. Does anyone know where to sign up for your "own little piece of satellite imagery" to search. I'd like to help.
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k Perry said 12:02PM on 9-15-2007
Lots of new technology and new ways of thinking have been made available to the masses after someone of importance brings a new way thinking to the table. Maybe this effort will bring a new way to search for others that are lost. Hopefully he is found alive and well. God Bless to his love ones.
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Kim Welch said 10:39AM on 9-13-2007
I wasn't sure who I needed to contact, but I found a plane on Google Earth at the coordinates
39*16'00.39''N 121*18'47.27''W at an elevation of 834ft. I'm 100% positive it's a plane, but am not sure if it is Steve Fossett's.
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fremont611 said 2:03PM on 9-13-2007
Yeah he's sooooooo kind and generous that he wastes all his money on important shit like flying around the earth in a balloon, what an idiot. You think he would give one second thought if any of you were lost out there HELL NO. He'd be trying to figure out how to develop a chicken big enough to fly around the world on, or better yet, maybe he'll figure out how to harness cicadas and fly around in a swarm of them, he will go down in history as another idiot adventurer who did something so STUPID it got him killed, and what a shame that HE TOOK HIS OWN DUMB ASS away from his family, for his own selfish, stuck up ass thrills.
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fremont611 said 2:16PM on 9-13-2007
Oh and Christina, before criticizing someone on their spelling, you might want to check your punctuation. DUMAS. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA What a good laugh I got. Thanks!
P.S. I'm not claiming to have a P.H.D. in either. or neither HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Oh God this is too much. HA HA HA HA HA HA
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