4 ms·

Does that imply nuclear weapons? It's not obvious to me if a payload of nuclear warheads would be that heavy to justify the delta-V though.

jauntywundrkind 3y ago
Orbital kinetic impactor weapons - a quiver of giant heavy rocks - would be an extremely valid reason for a extra spectacularly big launch. I'm not sure why x37b would be the ship for it, other than that it's proven technology with good manuverability. Feels like most any old satellite full of rocks could do though. Ran into this next bug future article talking about what a ridiculous death-weapon Starship could be. https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2023/11/future-us-hypersonic-bomber-is-hiding-in-plain-sight.html https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2023/11/future-us-hypersonic-b...
vardump 3y ago
No.
tekla 3y ago
Why would you bother to send a nuke to high orbit?
- dylan604 3y ago
  it's the only way to be sure.
meepmorp 3y ago
We already have a way of delivering nuclear warheads from space - they're called ICBMs. What would a space plane add that existing launch platforms don't already provide?
- dylan604 3y ago
  about 2 minutes (or less) of launch detection/warning vs 30?
  - meepmorp 3y ago
    We also have SLBMs that can be launched directly off coast of a target. And, tossing nukes at enemies isn't going to go unnoticed and that thing doesn't have nearly the capacity to make for a sufficiently large first strike to prevent retaliation. I guess it's possible, but (imo) it doesn't really make much sense.
    - dylan604 3y ago
      That thing is essentially in beta/prototype. What happens when there's multiples of that thing? Is the time from a weapon being released to impact enough time to verify and take action?
      - jamiek88 3y ago
        I think if it is something to do with our deterrence it’s more likely to be testing an anti ICBM weapon than carrying a warhead. The US stopped talking about missile defense because it’s destabilizing but they for sure did not stop working on it. With the MIRV warheads the only realistic intercept opportunity is in space.
        dylan604 3y ago
        I've played Missle Command, and once they separate, it's a nightmare! If there was a space based defense system, where would these items orbit? If it's a kinetic weapon, can something launched from geosync reach the target to cover the distance in time? Since most of the ICBMs would be coming over the pole, where else could you park your satellites that would be in position to defend against incoming missiles? Polar orbits are not stationary, so would you need a constant fleet of them over head like a Starlink constellation? Lost of questions that I've just never really slowed down to think about the logistics instead of just the old school "lasers are cool! pew pew pew!" that I thought about as kid when Ronnie Raygun was in office.
        jamiek88 3y ago

jauntywundrkind 3y ago

Orbital kinetic impactor weapons - a quiver of giant heavy rocks - would be an extremely valid reason for a extra spectacularly big launch. I'm not sure why x37b would be the ship for it, other than that it's proven technology with good manuverability. Feels like most any old satellite full of rocks could do though. Ran into this next bug future article talking about what a ridiculous death-weapon Starship could be. https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2023/11/future-us-hypersonic-bomber-is-hiding-in-plain-sight.html https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2023/11/future-us-hypersonic-b...

vardump 3y ago

No.

tekla 3y ago

Why would you bother to send a nuke to high orbit?

dylan604 3y ago
it's the only way to be sure.

meepmorp 3y ago

We already have a way of delivering nuclear warheads from space - they're called ICBMs. What would a space plane add that existing launch platforms don't already provide?

dylan604 3y ago
about 2 minutes (or less) of launch detection/warning vs 30?
- meepmorp 3y ago
  We also have SLBMs that can be launched directly off coast of a target. And, tossing nukes at enemies isn't going to go unnoticed and that thing doesn't have nearly the capacity to make for a sufficiently large first strike to prevent retaliation. I guess it's possible, but (imo) it doesn't really make much sense.
  - dylan604 3y ago
    That thing is essentially in beta/prototype. What happens when there's multiples of that thing? Is the time from a weapon being released to impact enough time to verify and take action?
    - jamiek88 3y ago
      I think if it is something to do with our deterrence it’s more likely to be testing an anti ICBM weapon than carrying a warhead. The US stopped talking about missile defense because it’s destabilizing but they for sure did not stop working on it. With the MIRV warheads the only realistic intercept opportunity is in space.
      - dylan604 3y ago
        I've played Missle Command, and once they separate, it's a nightmare! If there was a space based defense system, where would these items orbit? If it's a kinetic weapon, can something launched from geosync reach the target to cover the distance in time? Since most of the ICBMs would be coming over the pole, where else could you park your satellites that would be in position to defend against incoming missiles? Polar orbits are not stationary, so would you need a constant fleet of them over head like a Starlink constellation? Lost of questions that I've just never really slowed down to think about the logistics instead of just the old school "lasers are cool! pew pew pew!" that I thought about as kid when Ronnie Raygun was in office.
        jamiek88 3y ago