Re: Return to No Stealth in Space

jdnicoll@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 (James Nicoll) wrote:

>>> an acceration of 1 G [1] and an exhaust velocity of 5000 km/s
>>> might have a peak power output of 5^16 Watts (plus whatever
>>> for ineffeciencies).
>>
>>I just want to say, that is a ****ing insane amount of power.
>>
>>In low Earth orbit, it would light up the Earth like a second sun.

>	Nah, it's only 10 megatons/second. The Earth is big. It
>can suck up a lot of energy.

No, Doug's right: that's 1/4 the insolation intercepted by the Earth.
Certainly nothing you want on a close pass.

-xx- Damien X-)