[117263] in Cypherpunks
RE: Orbital Weapons Platform
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (J.A. Terranson)
Mon Aug 30 15:45:50 1999
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From: "J.A. Terranson" <sysadmin@mfn.org>
To: "cypherpunks@toad.com" <cypherpunks@toad.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 14:09:13 -0500
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Reply-To: "J.A. Terranson" <sysadmin@mfn.org>
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As I understand it (and not very well at that), you have highlighted the *entire*
[fatal] flaw in the Reagan "Star-Wars" program: The beams required energy
levels which could *only* be provided by the detonation of nuclear devices (in space).
This meant that (a) each "platform" could only fire it's beam(s) *once*, and,
(b) each platform was banned by pre-existing treaty(s) prohibiting nuclear
toys in space...
-----Original Message-----
From: BPM Mixmaster Remailer [SMTP:remailer@bpm.ai]
Sent: Monday, August 30, 1999 12:30 AM
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Subject: Orbital Weapons Platform
In the 80's there was some sort of initative to create "Star Wars" an orbital defense initative to destroy potential nuclear warheads before they were launched or during launch in the upper atmosphere. Persuing a collection of old X-files episodes I found one dealing with the use of high intensity particle beams fired from said satellites. I think just from the power consumption needs this would fail due to limitations of solar power cells. Is there such a system in place? Is the current power technology sophisticated enough?
---terminal
