[LINK] How space is changing the nature of war

[Tom Worthington]

On Fri, Feb 11, 2022, at 5:21 PM, Stephen Loosley wrote:

> Tom, they’re talking of putting vehicles briefly into orbit, then 
> aiming them down when and where they are needed. Intercepting such trajectories will be 
> **extremely** difficult. ...

Just to get this on topic for Link briefly, Space-X's Starlink may have 
far more effect on the world, by making the Internet available 
everywhere. Unfortunately the mass production and delivery of satellites 
for Starlink could also be applied to space based weapons.

The Space-X Starship itself is much larger than an ICBM, can't maneuver 
rapidly without injuring the crew, and has to carry fuel for a return 
trip. Also unlike a missile, the Starship executes a belly flop maneuver 
to slow down, then a slow vertical landing. As a result the Starship 
would be much easier than a missile to detect, track and target in 
flight. While landing, and on the ground, it is vulnerable to small arms 
fire.

> Tom, 200+ well-armed soldiers “on the spot” within an hour will do much 
> to quell problems. ...

Solders, even with sophisticated military equipment, do not necessarily 
quell problems, as Afghanistan showed the UK, USSR, and most recently 
the USA. Investing in diplomacy, education and development might be more 
cost effective.

Where armed intervention is needed, a small party can be effective, but 
this usually requires local knowledge and stealth. Arriving from the 
other side of the world in a huge spaceship would make this difficult.

> Most countries would need several days to respond ...

Even without a warhead, the Starship carries fuel for a return trip, 
which could cause a large explosion. A country, or its allies, detecting 
a military Starship heading for them may conclude they are under attack 
with a weapon mass destruction, and respond accordingly.

Apart from conventional or nuclear military response, a nation could use 
social media to call on supporters in the launch country to blockade the 
manufacturing and launch sites, or take potshots at the thin walled 
Starships on the ground. What would be easier than weaving the Starships 
into a global alien conspiracy narrative?  ;-)

> Compared with the expenses to build, maintain and fly simple 
> single-purpose Stealth Bombers ... absolute bargains.

Compared to a stealth bomber, just about anything is a bargain. If you 
want a space weapon, there are cheaper, simpler options. Military 
Starships could encourage more countries developing their own space 
based weapons under the guise of a commercial civilian space program.


-- 
Tom Worthington http://www.tomw.net.au