Another out of sequence snippet

Louis R wrote:While technically true, simple kinematics shows that the rocks would have to be _very_ big. I ran the numbers a while back [and posted them, IIRC], the last time this came up. A typical de-orbit velocity gives you a KE of ~12.5 MJ/kg. IOW, you need a 1000 tonne rock to get a kiloton yield. A rock that big has to be very precisely shaped and of very uniform composition to be of any value as a precision weapon. Otherwise ablation and tumbling leave you with a CEP in the km range, unless you're shooting straight down - which you can't do by just de-orbiting the rock - in which case it drops to [as a WAG] a few tens of meters.

Undercover Fat Kid wrote:....and Nimue used to be such a nice young lady.
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DMcCunney wrote:

Louis R wrote:While technically true, simple kinematics shows that the rocks would have to be _very_ big. I ran the numbers a while back [and posted them, IIRC], the last time this came up. A typical de-orbit velocity gives you a KE of ~12.5 MJ/kg. IOW, you need a 1000 tonne rock to get a kiloton yield. A rock that big has to be very precisely shaped and of very uniform composition to be of any value as a precision weapon. Otherwise ablation and tumbling leave you with a CEP in the km range, unless you're shooting straight down - which you can't do by just de-orbiting the rock - in which case it drops to [as a WAG] a few tens of meters.

If the OBS is being used for the intended purpose, how much precision does it need?

If Clyntahn got control of the OBS, for example, he'd be happy to take out Tellesberg and everything for several hundred miles around it, and would have no problem with saturation bombing to do it.
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Dennis

n7axw wrote:If the control station is in the basement of the Temple --and what Father Paityr said when he was brought into the inner circle seems to open the way for that as a possibility-- it would seem that none of the Temple's occupants are aware of its presence.

Don-

Louis R wrote:

DMcCunney wrote:If the OBS is being used for the intended purpose, how much precision does it need?

If Clyntahn got control of the OBS, for example, he'd be happy to take out Tellesberg and everything for several hundred miles around it, and would have no problem with saturation bombing to do it.

Enough to destroy a convent with a single shot

DMcCunney wrote:

Louis R wrote:Enough to destroy a convent with a single shot

True.

But it brings up another question. Elsewhere, RFC asked "What made you think the OBS can't reload?"

I don't see any reason it can't, but where does it get the ammo?

Grabbing random space junk with tractor beams is one thing. The sort of specially produced projectiles you suggest are a different matter.
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Dennis

DMcCunney wrote:I don't see any reason it can't, but where does it get the ammo?

Grabbing random space junk with tractor beams is one thing. The sort of specially produced projectiles you suggest are a different matter.

Louis R wrote:Enough to destroy a convent with a single shot

DMcCunney wrote: True.

DMcCunney wrote:But it brings up another question. Elsewhere, RFC asked "What made you think the OBS can't reload?"

I don't see any reason it can't, but where does it get the ammo?

Grabbing random space junk with tractor beams is one thing. The sort of specially produced projectiles you suggest are a different matter.
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Dennis

PeterZ wrote:I don't recall RFC specifying the OBS can reload without assistance from other systems. Which begs the question of other automated systems up and running. Well, shut down but may be initiated.

Joat42 wrote:The original OBS apparently took out half a continent where Alexandria was located. It took several hits though, but still...