In the ultimate "evening the playing field" move, releasing gravel into orbit to destroy everything. - Upgoat

In the ultimate "evening the playing field" move, releasing gravel into orbit to destroy everything.
submitted by RobertJHarsh to Russia 2.5 yearsOct 15, 2022 11:16:34 ago (+18/-1) (anti-empire.com)
https://anti-empire.com/time-for-russia-to-close-the-sky-end-us-sattelites/

The question is would the US throw nukes to prevent it?

[ - ] taoV 7 points 2.5 yearsOct 15, 2022 12:22:11 ago (+7/-0)

This would be the final blow to the technological view of progress. Orbital debris doesn't just disappear after hitting something. It would orbit indefinitely, damaging satellites and craft. In terms of actions that tacitly admit the modern world is doomed, it wouldn't be far below nukes. "Per aspera ad astra" would be dead forever.

[ + ] goatfugee12

[ - ] goatfugee12 3 points 2.5 yearsOct 15, 2022 17:08:42 ago (+3/-0)

this play could in fact prevent anything from leaving the planet in the future. There is already a shit load of debris whipping around at tens of thousands mph, adding truck loads of gravel or stainless steal ball bearings would still take years to get the majority of satellites, but for every satellites hat gets broken up you can add another truckload of debris to the shit show. it's has already been brought to the attention of NASA that would could end up with so much orbital debris we will effectively trap ourselves on this planet.

[ + ] taoV

[ - ] taoV 1 point 2.5 yearsOct 15, 2022 17:37:27 ago (+1/-0)

Exactly, it's already a problem and would probably get worse over time. At the very least the cost of space or sattelite anything would skyrocket.

[ - ] deleted 4 points 2.5 yearsOct 15, 2022 11:52:18 ago (+7/-3)

deleted

[ + ] FacelessOne

[ - ] FacelessOne -3 points 2.5 yearsOct 15, 2022 12:17:03 ago (+1/-4)

This guy gets it

[ - ] ilikeskittles 2 points 2.5 yearsOct 15, 2022 11:36:15 ago (+2/-0)

I don’t think that will work. Good idea, but don’t think so.

[ + ] PotatoWhisperer

[ - ] PotatoWhisperer 6 points 2.5 yearsOct 15, 2022 12:11:46 ago (+6/-0)

A few tonnes of gravel going in the opposite direction most orbits go in? Remember that most satellites are in an incredibly narrow band of orbits, for the most part.

Sure it wouldn't get absolutely everything, but it doesn't have to. Knock out, say 10% or so, and you have chaos.

[ + ] ilikeskittles

[ - ] ilikeskittles 1 point 2.5 yearsOct 15, 2022 13:45:20 ago (+1/-0)

It wouldn’t spread. It’s just going to sit there. Yes it will move. But it’s going to take a long time.

[ + ] PostWallHelena

[ - ] PostWallHelena 2 points 2.5 yearsOct 15, 2022 15:57:23 ago (+2/-0)

I think it would not be that hard to calculate the right momentum to spread gravel and sand into the path of a certain kind of satelite. You would have to consider whether to target high or low earth orbits. But you could shoot a payload out against the angular momentum of earth to release debris at the distance of geostationary orbit at the level of the equator and then I think all the geostationary satellites would run in to it in a few days. I think the polar and low earth orbit satellites might have to be targetted separately but the same principle applies— you put the debris in an area which certain types of satellites will all have to pass through every few days.

[ + ] PotatoWhisperer

[ - ] PotatoWhisperer 0 points 2.5 yearsOct 16, 2022 07:26:10 ago (+0/-0)

A few tonnes of gravel going in the opposite direction most orbits go in?

going in the opposite direction most orbits go in?

going in the opposite direction

When you make it up into orbit, you have to be moving at a certain speed in a direction. A direction particular in that you are still falling but you just keep missing the Earth. If you "just sit there" you will simply fall back down to Earth.

Go play Kerbal Space Program. Or read up on orbital mechanics if you are mathematically inclined.

[ + ] ilikeskittles

[ - ] ilikeskittles 0 points 2.5 yearsOct 16, 2022 09:46:01 ago (+0/-0)

I know that dumbass.

[ + ] PotatoWhisperer

[ - ] PotatoWhisperer 0 points 2.5 yearsOct 16, 2022 14:37:12 ago (+0/-0)

It wouldn’t spread. It’s just going to sit there.

Uh huh.

[ - ] ModernGuilt 2 points 2.5 yearsOct 15, 2022 14:10:37 ago (+2/-0)

Sand would probably be infinitely better

[ - ] chrimony 1 point 2.5 yearsOct 15, 2022 15:40:13 ago (+1/-0)

Too many stupid people willing to cut off their nose to spite their face.

[ - ] Doglegwarrior 1 point 2.5 yearsOct 15, 2022 16:34:33 ago (+1/-0)