U.S. going back to moon

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Originally posted by First of Two


And perhaps you haven't heard about the project currently being researched by the military, and colorfully referred to as "Rods from God."

This weapon would consist of orbiting platforms stocked with tungsten rods perhaps 20 feet long and one foot in diameter that could be satellite-guided to targets anywhere on Earth within minutes. Accurate within about 25 feet, they would strike at speeds upwards of 12,000 feet per second, enough to destroy even hardened bunkers several stories underground.

No explosives would be needed. The speed and weight of the rods would lend them all the force they need.

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Wow! Thor Javelins! When these puppies come out I'll be one step closer to my very own Trajan Heavy Grav Tank.

LONG LIVE TOG!;) :D

It's funny but we all seem to be concerned about the Chineese developing technology that the Americans are developing.... why are the Americans developing space weapons!! I'm not sure i feel that confortable about the idea that the americans can have orbital weapons platforms either - because as ALWAYS has happened in the past - it leads to an arms race, meaning someone is going to want to have them too - if they didn't have them, then no one else would want to have one!

Remember boys and girls, the only thing to remember about orbital weapons systems and other uber weapons is that it's better to have 'em first. If you've got all the cool toys, other countries will be less inclined to mess with you (i.e. you don't mess with a 1000 lb. gorilla... especially one who has orbital weapons platforms). :D
Of course the tech coming from this program could be used in everyday life. Orbital lawn darts anyone???

Well I think trying to get rid of the moles in your garden with a 30 meter tungsten rod couldbe a bit of an overkill - but effective :D

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Originally posted by Tobian
if they didn't have them, then no one else would want to have one!

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Think about that statement for a minute, and whether it applies to anything else.

It doesn't.

And the difference between space-based weapons and other forms of weapons tech is that the first to get them CAN keep anybody else from developing them.

Just drop a rod or two onto the next guy's launch sites.

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Super-sized.

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Originally posted by Liz Not Beth

Hey, I'm the only one with double whop-

Ok, lets leave this one alone. :D

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I agree. If this conversation goes any further, we may eventually have to talk about them onion rings. :p

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Google on "rods from God" or "Project Thor" and you'll get there eventually.

IIRC, the concept was originally proposed by military SF writer Jerry Pournelle.

The "hard" part of it is getting the tungsten (heavy) out of the Earth's gravity well and into orbit.

Or you could read "Footfall," by Pournelle and Niven, in which a similar attack is launched by aliens attacking Earth (using ice bits from Saturn's rings, IIRC), to rather signifigant effect.

Then they drop a bigger asteroid into the Indian Ocean -- bye-bye India, and all coastal areas anywhere nearby.

Getting back on track..

First of Two - I don't think that anyone owning a weapons such as that would be a discentive to stop the enemy from building them.. It's all about brinkmanship. The American's are hardly likelly to start dropping them on to China if they start their own program are they ! Not unless they want to take on someone THAT large. I don't care how clever american weapons are.. there's just TOO many Chinese :D

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Originally posted by Tobian

It's funny but we all seem to be concerned about the Chineese developing technology that the Americans are developing.... why are the Americans developing space weapons!! I'm not sure i feel that confortable about the idea that the americans can have orbital weapons platforms either - because as ALWAYS has happened in the past - it leads to an arms race, meaning someone is going to want to have them too - if they didn't have them, then no one else would want to have one!

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With all due respect, just because the Americans aren't developing the next generation weapon technology, doesn't mean others will not. The Chinese or any rich third world country would just do so, just in case we decided to begin development. If we stop, then threat nation will consider this an opportunity to catch up and surpass the American "superpower."

Just as we see Microsoft and Wizards of the Coast, other nations looked at us with green eyes of jealousy, now that USSR, a former superpower, no longer compete with the Americans. They'd like nothing more than to peg us down for being influential in the international community.

Come to think of it, it is human nature.

2 weeks ago a friend of mine figured out how to get us back to the moon. Tell Government that saddam is on the moon and we'll be back in no time :p

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