posted
You do realize how insanely difficult it is to shoot something like that down?
Registered: Jul 2002
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Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
I don't know much about the capabilities of weapons systems, but I've heard a missile from a Nighthawk can hit a particular window in a particular building from two miles away...if that's true, then our missile systems must be pretty accurate...and if they know the trajectory of the thing they're trying to hit, couldn't they just fire a few missiles and one would have to hit close enough? I mean, if they know it'll be at Y location at X time, isn't the only problem how close to Y and X they can put a missile?
Registered: Jul 2005
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Teh PW
Self Impossed Exile (This Space for rent)
Member # 1203
posted
Missle Defence Shield? Guess the best time to test it is now... ?
quote:Originally posted by Daniel Butler: I mean, if they know it'll be at Y location at X time, isn't the only problem how close to Y and X they can put a missile?
Well, there's the question of how well they know it's trajectory. In 2002 the landing zone of the debris from a previous falling satellite was miscalculated by several thousand miles. Also, trajectories are a lot easier to calculate for purely celestial objects. Once that satellite hits the atmosphere it's path can become unpredictable, especially as it begins breaking up. Also, lobbing missiles about might cause more problems than it would solve. Accidentally landing some explosives in an unfortunate place may be worth it if you're trying to stop a nuclear warhead, but if the object you're trying to shoot down isn't especially explosive, you might be better off letting it land.
Officially, they're worried about beryllium in the satellite, which can cause problems if inhaled. Considering how far the debris of this satellite will probably be spread, and the low level of exposure that anyone would be likely to receive, I'm not sure why they're all that worried... unless of course the satellite also carries the dreaded Andromeda Strain.
-------------------- "Having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true."
Registered: Apr 2005
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Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
So, I saw on the news they're shooting it down.
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
I just saw that. THey were originally planning on launching the missile earlier, (i think today) but they decided to let ATLANTIS come down from orbit first. How nice of them.
-------------------- "Kosh, I'd like to introduce you to our Resident schmuck and his side kick Kick Me."-Ritten
"Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity". -George Carlin
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Well that's simple. Launch it from a submarine. I think most cruise missles and SAM's are able to be launched from the Torp tubes of a modern attack sub. They're gyro-stabalized to compensate for the choppy seas, or something.
-------------------- "Kosh, I'd like to introduce you to our Resident schmuck and his side kick Kick Me."-Ritten
"Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity". -George Carlin
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Apparently they used one of the newer anti-ballistic missiles to destroy the satellite.
You know, modern warfare has become extremely dependent on GPS satellites, spy satellites, etc. If multiple nations were to develop similar missiles, a whole lot of military technology and hardware would suddenly become a lot less effective once the satellites started coming down.
-------------------- "Having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true."
Registered: Apr 2005
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Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
Hence why the Machines won the war.
Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Zefram: Apparently they used one of the newer anti-ballistic missiles to destroy the satellite.
You know, modern warfare has become extremely dependent on GPS satellites, spy satellites, etc. If multiple nations were to develop similar missiles, a whole lot of military technology and hardware would suddenly become a lot less effective once the satellites started coming down.
One of the issues in the early days of the First Gulf War was that Iraq still had access to satellite feeds provided by the West. Reason? Too many other countries were also subscribing to the same weather satellite signals for that part of the world so they couldn't or wouldn't shut it off.
Registered: Feb 2004
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I dunno. Just thought I'd post something on here. I do remember when this was a VOY thread. Now it's lifeless. Is there any plans to replace this with something else...?
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Registered: Feb 2008
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quote:Originally posted by shikaru808: a VOY thread. Now it's lifeless.
Wasn't this an ENT thread? And isn't it's lifelessness very symbolic?
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Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
I would assume. I actually enjoyed the last season a lot. But I really think that they should have made the whole Xindi thing into the Earth-Romulan War. Would have been a lot cooler and definitely more canon.
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Registered: Feb 2008
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