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[deleted] OP t1_j6nrof2 wrote

Reply to comment by PandaEven3982 in If the concepts of Project Orion were proven, why don't we use them for space guns? by [deleted]

[deleted]

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PandaEven3982 t1_j6ntm34 wrote

Who told you this? Are we discussing Nerva/Heavy Orion, as proposed by Dr. Pournelle and Dr. Kingsbury? Yes they discussed quite a few multistage designs, yes the SatV was the obvious choice of system. No. They never got comfortable enough with the Murphy factor to move forward. There was no acceptable design when the treaty showed up.

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[deleted] OP t1_j6nug2j wrote

[deleted]

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PandaEven3982 t1_j6o1l1e wrote

If you really want to fix the blane on SALT Ii, which I find acceptable, the dirty hands are Ronald Reagan's. Shrug. Yes, Dr. Dyson is on record as saying it's solvable. I deeply respect Dr. Dyson. I don't respect him enough to accept the assertion as the deed.

Bad enough he gave away everything they wanted starwars (orbital target acquisition) and FOBS banned. He gave them High Frontier. Jackass.

EDIT: Reagan, not you. SALT II is the reason we haven't tried using launching lasers. For just 1 thing.

Edit edit: A launch laser is an Orion with the engine on the ground. It needs really excellent targeting. Thie ship leaks fuel vapor into a combustion chamber. The laser fires. Rinse and repeat. Quickly. :-) fuel/air explosion. Get high enough you also bleed in O2.

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[deleted] OP t1_j6o34ud wrote

[deleted]

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PandaEven3982 t1_j6o5kob wrote

I am sorry that treating your question seriously ended up in a fun-suck for you. I was trying to treat your question with respect and give you as close to a truthful answer as I am able. I apologize.

EDIT: You probably, can use them as space guns, actually. The big boom pushes something ballistic. Maybe a rock, or a BFSpear, or another bomb. Their are practical and logistical questions, but sure, you can use an atomic boom as space weapon. Just gotta find the right something that survives the propulsive blast.

Edit: and I can offer a book of fiction that uses an onboard exploding nuke as a weapon of attack. Peace offering. :-)

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[deleted] OP t1_j6o7uvg wrote

[deleted]

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OwnLet6739 t1_j6obiua wrote

Yeah, you're just too smart. That's what it is.

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McCaffeteria t1_j6oc47s wrote

You should add the /s so they don’t think you’re being serious

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PandaEven3982 t1_j6og4pa wrote

I can't actually tell if that's sarcasm/snark/other...or you meant it? If I'm smart, how come I don't know what /s means?

(What does/s mean? Gramps is asking for help)

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OwnLet6739 t1_j6oua56 wrote

/s means sarcasm. Hard to read sarcasm through text. I was responding to OP though, not you.

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PandaEven3982 t1_j6o9rwi wrote

Thank you. I'm not really sensitive to up/down voting yet. Lol and I'm weird enough I might never get there:-)

Do you mean as a payload or as a warshot? We are really close to fusion powered induction IMHO, but as a transport system or at least a bootstrapper....is my head following?

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