I was mainly interested in SPS-based weapons for Earth defense against
asteroids or ET's. They would probably not be very effective in
either case.
larger asteroids that are a planetary threat. Against ET, large solar
panels are a sitting duck.
The best strategy for asteroids may be detection and deflection, and
for ET, negotiation and capitulation. Anyway, the existence and
threat of the latter is unproven.
;-)X
>
> I was mainly interested in SPS-based weapons for Earth defense against
> asteroids or ET's. They would probably not be very effective in
> either case.
>
> Against asteroids, they would not have enough power to affect the
> larger asteroids that are a planetary threat. Against ET, large solar
> panels are a sitting duck.
>
You should not underestimate the advantage, that SPS-Systems and
SP-Mirrors strike with light speed.
They could give the possibility to react, even when conventional rocket
based
systems are just to slow.
I could imagine an SP-Mirror or a Laser-stuffed SPS which heats a far
away comet
or asteroid and alters its course through outgassing of water from ice.
On the other hand, I would not like having a lot of Earth nations flying
those power units around Earth
or even in our Sun system. Think of a laser system with a power supply
of a full fledged power plant
only for that laser system.
I think the risk through nations using that systems instead of arguments
against their enemies
is larger than the thread posed through asteroids and comets.
We should think about how to reduce those risks for humanity which come
with space weapon systems
before developing them.
Frank
www.solar-thruster-sailor.info
As far as ETs are concerned, see the book,
Accelerondo. Makes a good case for why we haven't
already been visited,,,
> The best strategy for asteroids may be detection and deflection, and
> for ET, negotiation and capitulation. Anyway, the existence and
> threat of the latter is unproven.
>
> ;-)X
did. Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added
to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance Is Futile.
REad Accellerondo. That's a whole lot more likely
scenario than the Borg,,,
>
> > The best strategy for asteroids may be detection
> and deflection, and
> > for ET, negotiation and capitulation. Anyway, the
> existence and
> > threat of the latter is unproven.
> >
> > ;-)X
>
> We are The Borg. Gene Roddenberry did not create
> us; Maurice Hurley
> did. Your biological and technological
> distinctiveness will be added
> to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us.
> Resistance Is Futile.
>
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