/sci/ - Science & Math

>>10505809
At least Orion gave us the finest space weapon we'll deploy until we get access to antimatter.
>http://www.projectrho.com/public_html/rocket/spacegunconvent.php#id--Nukes_In_Space--Nuclear_Shaped_Charges
If it weren't for the EMP effects, this was the OG missile defense system. I'm honestly not sure we don't have some in reserve just in case real-shit nuclear war breaks out, because EMP effects pale before cities actually being vaporized, but the general public would not accept that reality.

Presuming an object like an asteroid or a comet was discovered on a collision course with Earth that made gravity tugs infeasible, are there better tools to use on it other than Nuclear Shaped Charge devices?
http://www.projectrho.com/public_html/rocket/spacegunconvent.php#id--Nukes_In_Space--Nuclear_Shaped_Charges
>Present ideas about deflection require ablation or vaporization of the object such that it experiences a thrust in a chosen direction.
>Nuclear Shaped Charges were conceived as a way to fatally ablate enemy missiles and warheads in a tight cone, limiting the area of effect (until the realities of EMP were understood)
>They were later adapted into a more efficient means of brute-forced development of relativistic propulsion at the core of the Orion Project.
It seems like the ideal peanut butter and chocolate combination, with a cold war twist. A potent means by which you can apply a thrust to a remote object with modern-day technology.

>>9105930
>>9105797

Speaking of nukes launching disks of metal real fast. Have these ever been tested or are they entirely theoretical? I've read estimates that they could accelerate a tungsten disk to over 2000 km/s