3 ms·

What tech are you thinking of? Remember it's not just the distance but the speed. How would we course correct a relativistic object once the target was close

• marcosdumay 5y ago
  Well, you do that with the same kind of engines that propels them at relativistic speed. Anyway, it's not a target and forget situation, because relativistic ships get a (relatively) lot of drag in space.
  • gilbetron 5y ago
    > Well, you do that with the same kind of engines that propels them at relativistic speed. Which don't exist except as fantasy, and even most of the fantasy ones wouldn't work for targeting adjustments.
  • edgyquant 5y ago
    Right, if you have the tech to allow you to course correct an object traveling at relativistic speeds you have the tech to defend against on by moving it out of the way.
    • marcosdumay 5y ago
      Yep, that's probably correct. Even more because you can just throw something into the projectile too, and destroy it... And they can throw something into your projectile, and etc. I don't think anybody can make any claim on what side is easier. But targeting the attack does not seem to be the hard part.
      • Retric 5y ago
        The belief is that detecting the attack in time to do anything makes defense more difficult. Your warning is limited by light speed, so detecting something moving .99c at 100 AU and you get just over 7 minutes to respond. Worse, it doesn’t need to be some solid object. A loose field of debris 1,000 miles wide could sterilize a planet with enough mass and enough velocity.