What would real-life space combat be like?

[pecksniff]

It is a subject that bears thinking about, now that we have an actual military Space Force, or at least something with that name.

It seems to me that a spaceship is so vulnerable that victory would always go to whoever shoots first. A ship with effective armor would be too heavy to launch.

Also, what weapons would be involved? Lasers would seem the obvious choice based on SF, but are they really any more effective for this purpose than projectiles?

 

[HisArpy]

Current technology would mean any space warfare would cost both sides every ship right down to the last man.

All you need is a rail gun and a bunch of ball bearings. You don't even have to aim, just send the projectiles in a bracketing/shotgun pattern on an orbit or parabolic course that intersects where the ship is going to be down the timeline.

Shoot and forget.

 

[pecksniff]

Current technology would mean any space warfare would cost both sides every ship right down to the last man.

All you need is a rail gun and a bunch of ball bearings. You don't even have to aim, just send the projectiles in a bracketing/shotgun pattern on an orbit or parabolic course that intersects where the ship is going to be down the timeline.

Shoot and forget.

Then, why do we need a Space Force? Nobody with any sense will ever try to take them on -- or vice-versa. What good is fight you can't win?

 

[MartinHeidegger]

Anyone contemplating space combat, especially in near Earth orbit, may be interested in the Kessler syndrome. By some accounts, we're already in the early phase of the syndrome.

 

[Mello_SixtyNine]

The space battles from the tv show, "The Expanse" would probably be the most realistic example of what space combat would look like.

 

[FGB]

Moon.
Mars.
Space stations.

 

[pecksniff]

Moon.
Mars.
Space stations.

I know, I know, it gives me a hardon too. Still, we have to be practical.

 

[pecksniff]

Anyone contemplating space combat, especially in near Earth orbit, may be interested in the Kessler syndrome. By some accounts, we're already in the early phase of the syndrome.

I guess that means priority #1 should be development of some kind of deflector shield.

Is there even a theoretical approach to that?

 

[Chernosoth]

Without the earth's atmosphere, unfiltered solar radiation would be slowly fatal. A thoroughly shielded spacecraft would be too heavy to launch. Colonies on the moon or other planets won't happen. The space combat in progress now is using satellites to guide drones, missiles, ships, etc., until the satellites get hacked. The nation with the most expensive war toys is falling far behind in all aspects of electronics: mining, manufacturing, and kids with adequate education in math and science. For a while, until everything in orbit is Kesslered. The universe shoots last.

 

[Kryptanon]

Probably closer to navel warfare, long distance. Time measured in light seconds and very unlikely anyone involved would not be close enough to be seen by the naked eye

 

[SissySalina]

Look to the private sector, they know how to make a buck!

sissy opinion.

 

[pecksniff]

Probably closer to navel warfare, long distance.

Space is an ocean.

 

[pecksniff]

deleted

 

[rockcasbah]

You can watch the Apple TV series "For All Mankind" ... AK47's on the Moon!

 

[Dribble]

Space is a vacuum. But, Newton's Third Law still applies.. Think...God gave you a brain.

 

[oneblueye]

hey...

It is a subject that bears thinking about, now that we have an actual military Space Force, or at least something with that name.

It seems to me that a spaceship is so vulnerable that victory would always go to whoever shoots first. A ship with effective armor would be too heavy to launch.

Also, what weapons would be involved? Lasers would seem the obvious choice based on SF, but are they really any more effective for this purpose than projectiles?

what would it be like???
Like Europe during the First World War without all the moaning and screaming.

 

[Islander55]

Probably pretty much like battles during the Napoleonic Wars. Everyone stand there and shoot at each other until everyone is dead of someone decides to run. It would make more sense to get up there and shoot at the other guys country until it is destroyed or they give up.

 

[pecksniff]

what would it be like???
Like Europe during the First World War without all the moaning and screaming.

Also without the trenches.

 

[pecksniff]

Space is a vacuum. But, Newton's Third Law still applies.. Think...God gave you a brain.

Well, lasers have no recoil.

 

[MartinHeidegger]

I guess that means priority #1 should be development of some kind of deflector shield.

Is there even a theoretical approach to that?

Closest (currently technologically feasible) approach I can think of is surrounding an object with a plasma, that would make the object opaque to some directed energy weapons. But as far as I know, these plasma screens have been proposed for in Earth's atmosphere, and would have a negligible effect on projectiles. Almost every realistic account of future space combat in Earth orbit I've come across has to do with projecting power from space to surface, surface to space, or with the logistics thereof. Until there are better ways of clearing orbital space (and folks are working on this problem already) or protecting spacecraft from debris, space to space combat is really a shit show for all.

 

[Pookie]

... Also, what weapons would be involved? Lasers would seem the obvious choice based on SF, but are they really any more effective for this purpose than projectiles?

Laser Axe


https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xnLoGEzeLYY/mqdefault.jpg

 

[Paul_Chance]

It will be lightning fast (the fastest processor that becomes the fastest gun) and directed energy weapons (lasers or particle beams). From the standpoint of human perception it would be like this.

Nano-second 1: "My what a beautiful day here on the trip to...."
Nano-second 2: "What do you mean I'm dead and the Hindu's were right?"

 

[pecksniff]

Look to the private sector, they know how to make a buck!

sissy opinion.

Well, if SpaceX ever engages in combat with Virgin Galactic, I guess the Space Force should follow the battle closely.

 

[Mello_SixtyNine]

Space Combat in The Expanse.

The Expanse: The Best Space Battle Ever? (Detailed Breakdown)

 

[Dribble]

Well, lasers have no recoil.

Sure they do. Any light does...but at least you can maintain control using other particle beams