To: Confederate Keyester
Nice idea, but the kinetic energy of an object that large at speeds approaching escape velocity for earth, would result in truly cataclysmic destruction. What you are suggesting is a 1/4 mile diameter chunk of extremely dense iron traveling at 7 miles per second. That would penetrate or rupture the tectonic plate upon impact - a superheated mass of air would precede the impact, much like the action of a HEAT round. I doubt that much (if anything) on earth would survive it. The earth's crust would literally roll in waves for some time after. Try smaller - like about 3-5 meters in diameter with an ablative coating - using tungsten alloy for the core.
13 posted on
10/19/2001 10:47:50 PM PDT by
11B3
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