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future human vs others space combat.

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future human vs others space combat.
Post by Lord Skimper   » Tue May 20, 2014 3:43 am

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Given that humans don't like sharing anything with non humans what will our space combat be based on.

We don't have an impeller wedge so we can't count on that.

Starlight plastic could help.

Spinning soup can ships if they are large enough.

Missiles might be a problem given they are in space. Hard to turn a missile in space.

Lasers and gauss guns.

Standard guns and cannons work as well, albeit at short range.

Nuclear fission power cores.

Mines bombs and rockets.

Armour and shields.
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Re: future human vs others space combat.
Post by Michael Everett   » Tue May 20, 2014 4:16 am

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You may want to check out the Trilogy Of The Damned* by Allen Dean Foster for an interesting take on humans fighting in space.

Sometimes, rocks can beat lasers...

*A Call To Arms
The False Mirror
The Spoils Of War
~~~~~~

I can't write anywhere near as well as Weber
But I try nonetheless, And even do my own artwork.
(Now on Twitter)and mentioned by RFC!
ACNH Dreams at DA-6594-0940-7995
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Re: future human vs others space combat.
Post by Daryl   » Tue May 20, 2014 5:19 am

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There is a publisher called Baen that has a few books on this subject. No shortage of well informed intelligent speculation.
Niven's Known Space series has some interesting thoughts, as does Ringo's Troy series.

Consider that whenever primitive humans reached a biosphere on Earth the megafauna became extinct soon after. Just coincidence that sabre toothed tigers and marsupial lions on different continents disappeared quickly?
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Re: future human vs others space combat.
Post by Invictus   » Tue May 20, 2014 8:31 am

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Daryl wrote:There is a publisher called Baen that has a few books on this subject.?


[Snerk!] :lol:

"When you talk about damage radius, even atomic weapons pale before that of an unfettered idiot in a position of power." Sam Starfall
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Re: future human vs others space combat.
Post by Lord Skimper   » Tue May 20, 2014 3:24 pm

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Location: Calgary, Nova, Gryphon.

Not so much scify but what could we at current tech levels use or do?

I Always have wondered if a Telsa type weapons would be possible? Can lightning travel through space?
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Re: future human vs others space combat.
Post by Imaginos1892   » Tue May 20, 2014 8:57 pm

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See Footfall by Larry Niven/Jerry Pournelle for ideas on what we could do with contemporary technology vs. aliens. For something a little more retro, read Harry Turtledove's Worldwar. Warning: eight books, huge story. Reptilian aliens invade in 1942. They try to wipe out our technology with nukes in low orbit, but vacuum tubes are so primitive they are barely affected by EMP.
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Re: future human vs others space combat.
Post by namelessfly   » Wed May 21, 2014 1:21 pm

namelessfly

Imaginos1892 wrote:See Footfall by Larry Niven/Jerry Pournelle for ideas on what we could do with contemporary technology vs. aliens. For something a little more retro, read Harry Turtledove's Worldwar. Warning: eight books, huge story. Reptilian aliens invade in 1942. They try to wipe out our technology with nukes in low orbit, but vacuum tubes are so primitive they are barely affected by EMP.
----------------
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!!



Damn!

You beat me to it.
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Re: future human vs others space combat.
Post by namelessfly   » Wed May 21, 2014 1:30 pm

namelessfly

Easy to turn a missile in space.

You can use attitude jets or vectored thrust.

Gyros or flywheels work too.

Of course rail guns firing bomb pumped X-Ray lasers work just fine. (The bomb pumped X-Ray laser is real technology that Weber has "enhanced" the capabilities of.

Shaped charge nuclear weapons might be more effective.

How about a variant of Orion technology that incorporates magnetic field coils to both contain the nucear explosion and extract energy to power a rail gun?

How about a direct coupling of a low yield nuke that is contained and directed by a magnetic field into a barrel to accelerate a projectile. Theoretical muzzle velocity would be limited to gas expansion velocity. One percent Cee is plausible but 1/10 of one percent Cee or 300 km/s might be more plausible. Advantage is no need for power supply.


Lord Skimper wrote:Given that humans don't like sharing anything with non humans what will our space combat be based on.

We don't have an impeller wedge so we can't count on that.

Starlight plastic could help.

Spinning soup can ships if they are large enough.

Missiles might be a problem given they are in space. Hard to turn a missile in space.

Lasers and gauss guns.

Standard guns and cannons work as well, albeit at short range.

Nuclear fission power cores.

Mines bombs and rockets.

Armour and shields.
Top
Re: future human vs others space combat.
Post by Michael Everett   » Wed May 21, 2014 3:50 pm

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Posts: 2619
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namelessfly wrote:Easy to turn a missile in space.

Turning a missile is one thing, actually changing its vector is a different kettle of fish.
~~~~~~

I can't write anywhere near as well as Weber
But I try nonetheless, And even do my own artwork.
(Now on Twitter)and mentioned by RFC!
ACNH Dreams at DA-6594-0940-7995
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Re: future human vs others space combat.
Post by namelessfly   » Wed May 21, 2014 8:47 pm

namelessfly

Michael Everett wrote:
namelessfly wrote:Easy to turn a missile in space.

Turning a missile is one thing, actually changing its vector is a different kettle of fish.



Just subtract current vector from desired vector to determine velocity vector change then accelerate on that vector. It takes time.
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