ThinksMarkedly wrote:cthia wrote:I think the communication link being cut is a real possibility. So, undoubtedly the number of people who made it out may be significantly understated. However, using ThinksMarkedly's N number of people reading on the output. It would still be a help if less than half of N has been found. It is how you look at it. N should be used as the minimum number of recovered pods, not the maximum number. So, if 500 pods are listed as survived and you only found 400...
My point is that the information doesn't change what you're going to do. If the box lists 500 pods as having been ejected and you've found 400, you're going to keep searching. If the box lists 300 pods as having been ejected and you've already found 400, you're going to keep searching too!
Communication links getting cut is a problem that could make the number be lower than it actually was. We can also get the reverse: the sensors in the pods having received damage that makes them think the pod is no longer there, so the black box registers the pod as having ejected. That would mean the count is higher than what it really is.
Maybe, maybe not. You're talking about a worst-case scenario. The communication links will not always be cut, especially if there is some sort of redundancy built-in. Plus, the communication protocol itself could hint at or alert S&R to whether the data is reliable. For example, damaged sensors on the pods should not send a false signal, only the launching mechanism should trigger the signal, then "closing bits" of the exchange sends an eof signal. After a time, S&R can get a good feel for the data, especially under the conditions of the destruction. Like a fusion bottle blowing. And again, the communication links won't always be cut, depending on the design and the implementation of redundancy.
Even if the redundancy has to include several black boxes. One for each section of pods. The communication link will most likely remain intact if it only has to account for that group of pods, especially if the entire system is contained along with the pods. Is it true the pods enjoy a bit of extra protection from the ship by design? If the communication link has been cut, then likely the pods themselves can't be launched which is a much bigger problem making the "comm links" moot.
At any rate, I agree. The information may not stop S&R from continuing the search. And it shouldn't. But S&R might sleep better at night if "at the very least" they recovered all indicated pods. And again, S&R may develop a "feel" for the data, and, again, the links won't always be cut, if rarely.