2 ms·
Travelling 1000mph is about mach 1.3. Hypersonic is mach 5 to perhaps mach 15, if our space launch research goes well. The target has to travel less than abou
by CapitalistCartr 10y ago
Travelling 1000mph is about mach 1.3. Hypersonic is mach 5 to perhaps mach 15, if our space launch research goes well. The target has to travel less than about 5 mm in that time. A foot would schmear the light too far.
[Edit] OK, I've done a bit of calculating, and I think you're right. The laser pulse could be a maximum of about 175 meters long.
- JoeAltmaier 10y agoA foot of light is necessary if you focus on a millionth of a foot of target. A longer bolt is acceptable if tolerances are looser than that. And they probably are. 5mm is about 1000X larger than that.