SPACE BASED WARFARE

Present day standoff missiles could easily be adapted to space age warfare, as could the various AMRAAM missiles used by current fighter jets. Space based mines are another possibility. They would contain a tracking computer, a servo, and a warhead, much the same way as in todays stand off missiles. However in addition, some type of sensing mechanism will be required in order to pick up such things as electrical emissions in the passive mode, or to emit electrical, infrared, laser etc in the active mode. The former will be used in a situation where the target has on-board detection equipment, the latter where the risk of detection is small or non-existent. These craft will be confined to a range of within few hundred miles of a GBL; which itself will be confined to a stable platform in order to achieve the accuracy of beam placement necessary, space based laser not accurate enough, the various calculations required for drift vibration etc beyond the capabilities of most computers. Even if computers are developed where it is possible to compensate for this the extra computing time required to get a fix on the target in a life and death situation will make them impracticable.

What then can be used in deep space? I relay upon the venerable Dean Ing for the solution. He has proposed a battle cruiser powered by-wait for it, an atomic detonation. Roughly it would consist of a forward section containing crew, life support systems, etc. At the rear of the front section would be a very large lead screen that would protect the crew from immediate radiation. Attached to the forward section via a gantry will be a combustion chamber. Very small atom bombs will be inserted in to the chamber, which will contain an electromagnetic system creating a force field directing the blast to the rear. An explosion occurs. Thrust is created. Harm-full back blast and residual radiation is directed backwards and away from the structure and from the crew. The lead shield will protect the crew from the immediate radiation. Heat radiating water passing through pipes in giant diamond shaped fins running from the rear structure out to the tips, using the freezing temperatures of space, will cool the engine and the surrounding structure.

Regarding strategy. For Earth type solar system wars where you have vehicles in Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter orbits commanders will attempt to eliminate: space centers, relay satellites, power satellites, orbital transfer vehicles, SSTO's (single stage to orbit as described above) and the GBL. A General will have to devise a strategy where he can eliminate a planets space based weapons and bases and then invade the planetary surface. Landings before the elimination of the space based resources will in the main be commando raids designed to eliminate GBL's.

Attacking forces will take out the easiest and the most valuable targets first such as: solar power collectors orbiting the planet under attack, supporting space stations, orbital transfer vehicles. Battle Cruisers will be stationed in deep space. Defenders will mostly use SSTO, s as these are more maneuverable and more easily deployed than a Battle Cruiser. This will constitute the tactical side of the war.

Battle Cruisers based in deep space will attempt to intercept the attacking force. These can cruise in space for long periods, needing little replenishment of fuel as ion engines, using a minute charge of electricity obtained through solar radiation, gradually builds up thrust of usable proportion, any fast and sudden speed calling for the detonation of an atom bomb in the combustion chambers. Actions in deep space between Battle Cruisers seem to be a distinct possibility.