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  • #61
    Originally posted by DRoseDARs
    Well, with the lasers the main idea I've heard is to use huge satelites to collect sunlight and focus it into a much tighter beam (microwaves I believe). This beam would then be directed at the business end of a modified solarsail. Think of it as going from a passive sail to a mud-bogger(?) (one of those boats with the big fan on the back). Would wouldn't rely on the gentle nudge of the sun to speed up to your target, instead you'd get a stronger shove from a concetrated beam. I forget what you'd do once you got to your target...
    Ah I see. Still doesn't look very practical in space combat though.

    Is it (theorethically) possible to make such efficient use of photons that you don't need huge sails?
    DISCLAIMER: the author of the above written texts does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for any offence and insult; disrespect, arrogance and related forms of demeaning behaviour; discrimination based on race, gender, age, income class, body mass, living area, political voting-record, football fan-ship and musical preference; insensitivity towards material, emotional or spiritual distress; and attempted emotional or financial black-mailing, skirt-chasing or death-threats perceived by the reader of the said written texts.

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    • #62
      Originally posted by Colon
      Besides, anyone considered the danger of a "stray bullet" in space? On earth, when you're at a large distance from a battlefield, you're usually safe from stray bullets. (although missiles have increased the danger) But in space a stray bullet could hit a target lightyears away. I wouldn't want to know what happens if you start firing nukes in space.
      And what when you use missiles that accelerate? If such a missile goes astray it could end up hitting something (eg a planet) at enormous speed.
      Someone mentioned an "auto-destruct" feature earlier. No way of ensuring everyone installed one on every missile (nuclear and otherwise), but its a very feasible option to prevent "stray-bullets."

      Lasers would be more of a problem, though...
      The cake is NOT a lie. It's so delicious and moist.

      The Weighted Companion Cube is cheating on you, that slut.

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      • #63
        Originally posted by DRoseDARs


        Someone mentioned an "auto-destruct" feature earlier. No way of ensuring everyone installed one on every missile (nuclear and otherwise), but its a very feasible option to prevent "stray-bullets."

        Lasers would be more of a problem, though...
        Ok, I missed the auto-destruct post too.

        But still, you're bound to have 'rogue-entities' (beit Nort Korea or otherwise ) that can't be bothered to use such auto-destruct features.
        DISCLAIMER: the author of the above written texts does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for any offence and insult; disrespect, arrogance and related forms of demeaning behaviour; discrimination based on race, gender, age, income class, body mass, living area, political voting-record, football fan-ship and musical preference; insensitivity towards material, emotional or spiritual distress; and attempted emotional or financial black-mailing, skirt-chasing or death-threats perceived by the reader of the said written texts.

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        • #64
          Originally posted by Colon


          Ah I see. Still doesn't very practical in space combat though.

          Is it (theorethically) possible to make such efficient use of photons that you don't need huge sails?
          Earlier this year there was a thread on one aspect of the US Anti-Ballistic missile shield: Airborne Lasers installed on 747s. I think a production model is due later this decade. Fully-functioning supposedly in the manner I've described, heating missiles to cause them to explode prematurely and with GPS to target the inbounds.
          The cake is NOT a lie. It's so delicious and moist.

          The Weighted Companion Cube is cheating on you, that slut.

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          • #65
            Stray bullets? The chance that some space missile or whatever will hit anything after missing it's target is nill.
            "Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master" - Commissioner Pravin Lal.

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            • #66
              Originally posted by DRoseDARs
              EDIT: I was too slow in posting this. This post reponds to the one before the one above.

              Yeah, the first such probe was launched a few months back...maybe even back in 2001, I can't remeber specifics anymore. I think its primary mission was an asteroid/comet that passed near Earth. The Ion drive was just added to see if it would work. I believe it did quite well.
              Actually I can vaguely recall that test. Looks more promising if you consider there's probably going to be a lot of improvement on that technology.
              DISCLAIMER: the author of the above written texts does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for any offence and insult; disrespect, arrogance and related forms of demeaning behaviour; discrimination based on race, gender, age, income class, body mass, living area, political voting-record, football fan-ship and musical preference; insensitivity towards material, emotional or spiritual distress; and attempted emotional or financial black-mailing, skirt-chasing or death-threats perceived by the reader of the said written texts.

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              • #67
                Originally posted by DRoseDARs


                Earlier this year there was a thread on one aspect of the US Anti-Ballistic missile shield: Airborne Lasers installed on 747s. I think a production model is due later this decade. Fully-functioning supposedly in the manner I've described, heating missiles to cause them to explode prematurely and with GPS to target the inbounds.


                Sure you're replying to the right quote?
                DISCLAIMER: the author of the above written texts does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for any offence and insult; disrespect, arrogance and related forms of demeaning behaviour; discrimination based on race, gender, age, income class, body mass, living area, political voting-record, football fan-ship and musical preference; insensitivity towards material, emotional or spiritual distress; and attempted emotional or financial black-mailing, skirt-chasing or death-threats perceived by the reader of the said written texts.

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                • #68
                  Originally posted by Eli
                  Stray bullets? The chance that some space missile or whatever will hit anything after missing it's target is nill.
                  You are incorrect. Traditional missiles have targetted the wrong targets before. Operator error, screwed-up targeting systems, or simple aquiring a new target after losing contact with the original target.

                  Heat signatures and radar echoes are still used by missiles to track their targets.
                  The cake is NOT a lie. It's so delicious and moist.

                  The Weighted Companion Cube is cheating on you, that slut.

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                  • #69
                    Originally posted by Colon




                    Sure you're replying to the right quote?
                    Sorry, yes I was.
                    The cake is NOT a lie. It's so delicious and moist.

                    The Weighted Companion Cube is cheating on you, that slut.

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                    • #70
                      Well, I've hit 4am and I have things to do later today, so g'night all.

                      DRoseDARs
                      The cake is NOT a lie. It's so delicious and moist.

                      The Weighted Companion Cube is cheating on you, that slut.

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                      • #71
                        Originally posted by DRoseDARs


                        You are incorrect. Traditional missiles have targetted the wrong targets before. Operator error, screwed-up targeting systems, or simple aquiring a new target after losing contact with the original target.

                        Heat signatures and radar echoes are still used by missiles to track their targets.
                        Space is big, and fuel / battery life is limited. I don't think that there is a serious safety issue here.
                        He's got the Midas touch.
                        But he touched it too much!
                        Hey Goldmember, Hey Goldmember!

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                        • #72
                          Originally posted by Sikander


                          Space is big, and fuel / battery life is limited. I don't think that there is a serious safety issue here.
                          But you don't need fuel to keep an object moving, only to make it accelerate. (whatever the means of propulsion is) And since it will keep moving, it is bound to hit something at some time.
                          DISCLAIMER: the author of the above written texts does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for any offence and insult; disrespect, arrogance and related forms of demeaning behaviour; discrimination based on race, gender, age, income class, body mass, living area, political voting-record, football fan-ship and musical preference; insensitivity towards material, emotional or spiritual distress; and attempted emotional or financial black-mailing, skirt-chasing or death-threats perceived by the reader of the said written texts.

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                          • #73
                            Hi folks. Fascinating thread. For those who fancy trying some of these ideas, there's a family of games (old timers will know about it) called Elite and Frontier. The last version is called First Encounters and is available as shareware from the author (who won the copyright back in court. Ming, don't go cussing me).

                            Download PC versions here

                            You will also need JJFFE (or similar) to run Frontier First Encounters on Windows or Linux systems.


                            Get your JJFFEWIN OR Linux here

                            They are very compact games and run on the desktop. Elite 4 is under construction, supposedly with multiplay.

                            Happy shooting.

                            EDIT: Elite was heavily influenced by an OLDDDD RPG called Traveller - it's pre D&D, that's how old. Megatrav came out (late 80s?) with an updated ship design system that was even sillier. Honestly, a naval architect friend of mine couldn't believe the amount of errors in the rules.
                            Last edited by Cruddy; June 4, 2003, 13:21.
                            Some cry `Allah O Akbar` in the street. And some carry Allah in their heart.
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                            • #74
                              Originally posted by Colon
                              But you don't need fuel to keep an object moving, only to make it accelerate. (whatever the means of propulsion is) And since it will keep moving, it is bound to hit something at some time.
                              It depends. Consider this - if you fire a photon in a random direction, chances of it hitting something is much less than that of it moving to the "edge" of the universe. Pretty similar to that of a missile flying in a straight line.
                              (\__/) 07/07/1937 - Never forget
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                              • #75
                                Originally posted by Urban Ranger


                                It depends. Consider this - if you fire a photon in a random direction, chances of it hitting something is much less than that of it moving to the "edge" of the universe. Pretty similar to that of a missile flying in a straight line.
                                Guess so. At least Earth never got hit by stray bullets from some far away intergalactic battle.
                                DISCLAIMER: the author of the above written texts does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for any offence and insult; disrespect, arrogance and related forms of demeaning behaviour; discrimination based on race, gender, age, income class, body mass, living area, political voting-record, football fan-ship and musical preference; insensitivity towards material, emotional or spiritual distress; and attempted emotional or financial black-mailing, skirt-chasing or death-threats perceived by the reader of the said written texts.

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