4 ms·

"shoot satellites out of orbit", not "into orbit"

• fooker 7y ago
  Same fundamental problem.
  • RantyDave 7y ago
    Except that in one case they thing you're trying to launch is a tonne of assorted electronics, and in the other case it's two kilos of tungsten.
  • Balero 7y ago
    Not really. Orbit isn't just about getting up there. It's about moving fast enough when you are up there. To destroy something in orbit, you just need to get the projectile up there. You don't also have to get it up to escape velocity.
  • wolf550e 7y ago
    No. If your projectile reaches altitude of target satellite with 0 velocity, hangs for a moment and starts to fall down, but then is impacted at relative velocity of kilometers per second by a satellite, your weapon (or Kessler syndrome trigger) works. It doesn't need orbital velocity at altitude, only the altitude. That is a lot lower energy!
  • keiru 7y ago
    On top of everything else commented, there's the matter of how delicate you need to be about it. I do hope no one ever tries to down a satellite with a railgun, as debris might create a runaway effect that brings about a dark night. Use lasers, be responsible.