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1. Not true. Just because a big rocket exists doesn't mean it could be used.1. Would give new life to space-based lasers---but also for space-based radars, astronomy--solar powersats---and more.
2. Of course, Ares V could have launched an even bigger one:
3. SLS can pick up the slack since Elon seems more interested in adding to his rocket garden--while we KNOW the next SLS cores will fly.
Wrong.Point 1.
SLS is why you even have Clipper—so that’s debunked.
c. Irrelevant SLS flew SuperHeavy full stack hasn’t.
Just because you hate on MSFC and SLS doesn’t make you right either.
One of the other pictures shows protective petals around the end, were they just for launch, or intended to protect from debris?
Also, why is it in two pieces? Too heavy for single LV at the time?
https://youtu.be/06E6aD3TLjU?si=-pj11oc8XzTGeRTi
How many did you buy, mein Herr?The discussion reminds me of a T-shirt I recently came across that read "I'm Not Arguing, I'm Just Explaining Why I'm Right"...
I read 60s of firing somewhere.So, they're "burning" hydrogen in fluorine and making HF gas as a byproduct. Any guesses how long that satellite would last after it started shooting?
How many did you buy, mein Herr?
As a strategic defence asset, it only needs to last long enough to destroy the incoming warheads.Any guesses how long that satellite would last after it started shooting?
Zenith Star was more about targeting the missiles boost-phase pre-warhead-release. This took out several (up to 10) warheads at once and it was easier to verify destruction.As a strategic defence asset, it only needs to last long enough to destroy the incoming warheads.
As a prototype for a strategic defence asset, it only needs to last long enough to prove you could destroy incoming warheads if you wanted to.
Not to mention the 5-25 inflatable decoys that deploy with the warhead, making target discrimination much more more difficult before it reaches atmospheric reentry.Zenith Star was more about targeting the missiles boost-phase pre-warhead-release. This took out several (up to 10) warheads at once and it was easier to verify destruction.
The production version looked even more like a flashlight, as I recall...Zenith Star subsystems
You still need systems hardened against hydrofluoric acid, yet light enough to launch.As a strategic defence asset, it only needs to last long enough to destroy the incoming warheads.
As a prototype for a strategic defence asset, it only needs to last long enough to prove you could destroy incoming warheads if you wanted to.
It's so crazy, it just might work!You still need systems hardened against hydrofluoric acid, yet light enough to launch.
Edit: oh, right. It also needs to somehow contain hydrogen and fluorine long term. Neither of those are easy to keep contained.
You'll forgive me for wanting to stay a long way away from those while fueled on the pad...It's so crazy, it just might work!
It's a free country...You'll forgive me for wanting to stay a long way away from those while fueled on the pad...
The H and F were likely stored separately as per this process for DF, which gives atmospheric penetration down to lower altitudes.You still need systems hardened against hydrofluoric acid, yet light enough to launch.
Edit: oh, right. It also needs to somehow contain hydrogen and fluorine long term. Neither of those are easy to keep contained.
Zenith Star was more about targeting the missiles boost-phase pre-warhead-release. This took out several (up to 10) warheads at once and it was easier to verify destruction.
I agree, which is why SDI combined a number of technologies that would target missiles at different stages of flight. Zenith Star was design to hit the boost stages; brilliant pebbles, ERIS or garage satellites were designed to hit them post boost (either very last stage, warhead bus or RVs (mid-course); and then GBL, HEDI and LEAP were designed for the terminal phase.This is from the 1986 edition of Soviet Military Power showing the estimated number of Soviet ICBMs and reentry vehicles. Even if you figure out how to successfully intercept ICBMs in boost phase, there were still over 1300 ICBMs to hit. That's a lot of targets to destroy simultaneously within only a few minutes on the very first try. One of the many reasons why SDI was such a challenging program.
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It's still a ridiculously complex task. Putting the stuff in orbit is only one part. Linking all the sensors together, developing a command and control system, and making sure the weapons will actually work, are all really difficult things to do.I agree, which is why SDI combined a number of technologies that would target missiles at different stages of flight. Zenith Star was design to hit the boost stages; brilliant pebbles, ERIS or garage satellites were designed to hit them post boost (either very last stage, warhead bus or RVs (mid-course); and then GBL, HEDI and LEAP were designed for the terminal phase.
The costs of the space-layer were restrictive back then due to launch costs, but they have reduced ~100-fold thanks to RLVs.
But is a literal 50 year old hat at this moment.Linking all the sensors together, developing a command and control system, and making sure the weapons will actually work, are all really difficult things to do.