2 ms·
>It is within the performance envelope of those types of systems. Is this true? Reentry speed of an ICBM is something like 5 km/s. Entry speed of a meteor is a
by cmsmith 14y ago
>It is within the performance envelope of those types of systems.
Is this true? Reentry speed of an ICBM is something like 5 km/s. Entry speed of a meteor is a minimum of 11 km/s, and more like 25 km/s if this object wasn't in an Earth-like orbit to begin with. Missile interceptors travel much slower than either, and they have a tough time hitting ICBMs from what I understand.
- varjag 14y agoAlso, Russian missile interceptors are outfitted with nuclear warheads, to address the precision problem. And virtually all Russian missile defense is concentrated around Moscow. So it's safe to conclude the military was not involved here.
- n3rdy 14y agoThe meteor must have exploded 20 miles high, wouldn't a nuclear warhead cause an EMP at that altitude? Or would a lower yield lack that?