/vt/ - Virtual Youtubers

>>43545560
Regular nukes, yes, because the majority of energy output of a nuclear warhead comes in the form of EM wave (which space has in spades) that superheat the atmosphere (which space has none) into a shockwave. However, there are ways to make nuclear weapons useful in space, including one that is actually considered by the United States during the Cold War (because of course it does). It basically bypasses the annoying lack of air in space by bringing its own absorption material that, when combined by focusing the gamma ray generated by the nuclear reaction, turns into a directed burst of hot plasma that should be able to burn through the target. It should also be noted that Orion drive also works on the same principle, except the ship being propelled by the explosion has a huge shielding to protect the ship from getting nuked by itself.