I think we are on the cusp of a real revolution of American technology and hegemony. Most people are completely unaware of the changes coming. I remember Reagan's Star Wars was mocked and now it is everyday tech. This I think will be even bigger.
A Starbase is being enlarged at Boca Chica Texas from which the mission to Mars will go forth on SpaceX rockets
SpaceX already puts 80+% of all mass into orbit.
SOME of the Star Wars tech is everyday. Things like “rods from god” are not.
However most of the space-based weapons could not be done because of a lack of affordable launchers and a lack of will, not a lack of know-how or technology.
The Space X launchers are capable of getting things to high-earth orbit, where weapons need to be.
That’s an eye opening article. Thanks for posting it.
Elon is actually Delos. D. Harriman.
Ping.
Fascinating...
ping
My concern is that currently Starships are not defendable. They would be vulnerable to attack on approach or departure. This would have to be addressed if it is to be used as the fulcrum of a weapons system.
Another thread-
Any trip to Mars will depend on the timing of the planets in orbit. Go at the wrong time it takes 3 times as long. The launch window is very narrow and doesn’t repeat for ~35 years.
They want to launch by end of 2026.
Let’s make a space elevator.
Elon could do Space Uber.
Build O'Neil colonies at L-1 thru L-5, ship goods back to Earth that can be only manufactured in zero gee, and infinite power and vacuum, while developing mass drivers.
Example. Pure gold is HIGHLY conductive, and there is a rock of several million tons of the stuff in orbit between Mars and Jupiter. Mine it, use the gold for wiring...
It isn't SciFi, just engineering.
Just read the article. The author is neglecting one thing. Starship is likely to need refueling at the destination. Maybe it could do air drop and return to orbit, but that will reduce payload.
I wrote an article touching on this a couple of months ago.
https://www.ammoland.com/2024/12/will-spacex-make-rods-from-god-and-other-future-weapons-a-reality/
Then there is the problem of Russia and China saying such frequent launches to their backyards will be met by a few of their own, of a type more climatic.
However, assembling a starship via integrated modular parts might be feasible. I see a future in electric cars here as well once a small efficient safe powerful batteries are invented. You could order compatible parts like you can to build a computer via https://pcpartpicker.com