Is NASA the next Dreamcast?

Cadet · Posted on: Sun Aug 15, 2004 5:09 pm

TJ wrote:

ICBM's and certainly cruise missiles would be cheaper but an orbital KE weapons system does have some advantages over both, especially if combined with stealth technology.

Not really. Thanks to the way orbits work, you'd need to have systems in orbit across the planet. Add in the fuel costs plus the costs to get them up there in the first place and it just makes more sense to launch an ICBM.

Quote:

I think you're putting a bit too much power into the most likely KE systems to be fielded anytime in the near future though. I seriously doubt anyone would respond with nuclear retaliation if they lost a dozen tanks to a KE system like Pournelle's THOR or if some satellites was knocked out by some flying steel crowbars.

Of course not. But why reinvent the air-to-surface missile? They do the job just fine, KE weapons would need to be basically clean nukes.

Author	Message
Cadet Spaceflight Participant Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2004 9:33 pm Posts: 69	Posted on: Sun Aug 15, 2004 5:09 pm TJ wrote: ICBM's and certainly cruise missiles would be cheaper but an orbital KE weapons system does have some advantages over both, especially if combined with stealth technology. Not really. Thanks to the way orbits work, you'd need to have systems in orbit across the planet. Add in the fuel costs plus the costs to get them up there in the first place and it just makes more sense to launch an ICBM. Quote: I think you're putting a bit too much power into the most likely KE systems to be fielded anytime in the near future though. I seriously doubt anyone would respond with nuclear retaliation if they lost a dozen tanks to a KE system like Pournelle's THOR or if some satellites was knocked out by some flying steel crowbars. Of course not. But why reinvent the air-to-surface missile? They do the job just fine, KE weapons would need to be basically clean nukes. _________________ Catholic Cadet: Apologetics and Evangelization.
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