Planetary shields shouldn't even be a factor

[Adrian Laguna]

To be preciese, the momentum of the impact would be imparted onto the component of the shield generation system that is mechanically anchored to the shield. The shield has to be anchored somewhere; otherwise when the ship or what-have-you accelerates, the shield doesn't and you smash into your own shield. OUCH!

This mechanical anchoring is usually assumed to be the shield generator itself, but not necessarily. Where the shield is anchored depends on the particular system, but it's always there (if the shield is practical). In SW, we assume that the shield generator is also the mechanical anchor.

In Star Wars, it appears that the mechanical anchoring of a shield is to the shield projectors, which may or may not be the same thing as shield generators. In any case, the shield projectors in a Star Destroyer appear to be firmly anchored to the hull, almost being part of the hull itself. So I think it is reasonable to assume that an impact capable of ripping a projector off it's moorings would also be capable of penetrating the hull of an unshielded ISD.

[Gil Hamilton]

In Star Wars, it appears that the mechanical anchoring of a shield is to the shield projectors, which may or may not be the same thing as shield generators. In any case, the shield projectors in a Star Destroyer appear to be firmly anchored to the hull, almost being part of the hull itself. So I think it is reasonable to assume that an impact capable of ripping a projector off it's moorings would also be capable of penetrating the hull of an unshielded ISD.

Or it would be the old "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" deal (literally) and the shield projector would get crushed against the hull.

[Ender]

Nomad - wattage is different from energy, and energy applied appears to matter more then rate at which it is applied when it comes to shields. So the fact the impactor would have less energy is important. And it wouldn't release this energy or impart this force in a millisecond. the duration it is applied over is dependent on the structural characteristics of the colliding bodies if I understand it correctly (ask mike or go to SLM), and shields are a complete unknown there.

So shield generators have been shown to withstand the force and energy this .5 c impactor would have.


You are corect about acceleration stress though. Even if it were to only accelerate at 3000 Gs (same rate as most star destroyers) the asteroid would be subject to 38.6 TPa. High grade steel has a yield strength of ~700 MPa. The damn thing will shred itself.

Plus there is the huge advantage for the defendes that they can see it coming. Hell, WE could see it coming. The Death Star can just pop out of hyperspace. This thing has to burn massivly powerful engines for over an hour with enough power to rival a stellar body. We could see it well in advance with todays technology.

I'd also point out that in SW, planetary shields were developed to defend against this tactic. So yeah, they can handle it.

[Star Wars Fan]

put hyperdrives on the asteroid. remove all safety systems. it'll collide with the planet with more force when it is annnihilated against the shields.

[Ghost Rider]

put hyperdrives on the asteroid. remove all safety systems. it'll collide with the planet with more force when it is annnihilated against the shields.

Right-o chap...and what's holding the asteriod together, dumbfuck?

[Star Wars Fan]

put hyperdrives on the asteroid. remove all safety systems. it'll collide with the planet with more force when it is annnihilated against the shields.

Right-o chap...and what's holding the asteriod together, dumbfuck?

nothing. make it better, so if it breaks apart close to the planet, if overwhelms the shields in several places. anyway, you can use
something else to hold them together. (and no, I am not dumb, nor a "fuck")

[Noble Ire]

nothing. make it better, so if it breaks apart close to the planet, if overwhelms the shields in several places. anyway, you can use more.

And what, pray tell, keeps it from disintegrating the instant it jumps into hyperspace?

[Star Wars Fan]

nothing. make it better, so if it breaks apart close to the planet, if overwhelms the shields in several places. anyway, you can use more.

And what, pray tell, keeps it from disintegrating the instant it jumps into hyperspace?

hmm. put braces on it (like Maw Installation) anyway, if the hyperdrives are well-tuned, it won't fall apart.

[Ghost Rider]

nothing. make it better, so if it breaks apart close to the planet, if overwhelms the shields in several places. anyway, you can use more.

And what, pray tell, keeps it from disintegrating the instant it jumps into hyperspace?

hmm. put braces on it (like Maw Installation) anyway, if the hyperdrives are well-tuned, it won't fall apart.

So construct a hyperdrive(for one usage) and supports(for one usage) and hope this thing isn't blown away by fighters.

So how is this a viable weapon?

Yep...really thinking on all cylinders here, moron.

[Star Wars Fan]

So construct a hyperdrive(for one usage) and supports(for one usage) and hope this thing isn't blown away by fighters.

So how is this a viable weapon?

Yep...really thinking on all cylinders here, moron.

it doesn't leave hyperspace. it crashes with the mass shadow in hyperspace.

[Ghost Rider]

So construct a hyperdrive(for one usage) and supports(for one usage) and hope this thing isn't blown away by fighters.

So how is this a viable weapon?

Yep...really thinking on all cylinders here, moron.

it doesn't leave hyperspace. it crashes with the mass shadow in hyperspace.

You do know it'll do NOTHING then.

Ships that are destroyed in Hyperspace because of collision with Mass Shadows....their debris is either miniscule or nothing, and because of what Hyperspace is....do not affect the object they've hit, whatsoever.

So tell me again, your brillant plan, fuckard?

[Star Wars Fan]

You do know it'll do NOTHING then.

Ships that are destroyed in Hyperspace because of collision with Mass Shadows....their debris is either miniscule or nothing, and because of what Hyperspace is....do not affect the object they've hit, whatsoever.

Can't objects in hyperspace effect realspace? hyperspace is realspace faster than light, right?

So tell me again, your brillant plan, fuckard?

drop the asteroid out of hyperspace very close to the planet, then. the planet gets damaged.

why are you so hostile?

[Ghost Rider]

You do know it'll do NOTHING then.

Ships that are destroyed in Hyperspace because of collision with Mass Shadows....their debris is either miniscule or nothing, and because of what Hyperspace is....do not affect the object they've hit, whatsoever.

Can't objects i nhyperspace effect realspace? hyperspace is realspace faster than light, right?

Yes, larger object tend to destroy smaller ones, and since we're talking about an asteriod. Unless it's larger then the planet...it's not going to do diddly to the planet whatsoever.

Or do you want to even concieve why they've never done this in the first place?

So tell me again, your brillant plan, fuckard?

drop the asteroid out f hyperspace very close to the planet, then. the planet gets damaged.

Oh look a starfighter target.

Back to square one, dip.

[Star Wars Fan]

Yes, larger object tend to destroy smaller ones, and since we're talking about an asteriod. Unless it's larger then the planet...it's not going to do diddly to the planet whatsoever.

Or do you want to even concieve why they've never done this in the first place?

it's to take down the shields, and Thrawn probably would've used something like this

Oh look a starfighter target.

Back to square one, dip.

can you explain?

[Kuja]

it's to take down the shields, and Thrawn probably would've used something like this

Planetary shields can shrug off fleet bombarments, which can do far more damage than a rock.

can you explain?

Starfighters fire torpedos. Rock goes boom.

[Ghost Rider]

Yes, larger object tend to destroy smaller ones, and since we're talking about an asteriod. Unless it's larger then the planet...it's not going to do diddly to the planet whatsoever.

Or do you want to even concieve why they've never done this in the first place?

it's to take down the shields, and Thrawn probably would've used something like this

Yep...because he had spare Hyperdrive, nav computers, starfighter grade bracing just on hand.

You are truly a fucking idiot.

Oh look a starfighter target.

Back to square one, dip.

can you explain?

Wow, more proof of you not connecting the dots.

Let's try to imagine a ball hurling towards your base, you in a fighter. This object can be destroyed by your guns and is not armed, and would be able to do damage to your defending target.

What does the pilot do?

I wonder.

Oh wait, do you want to add high speed engines to this one shot weapon as well? Or perhaps shielding?

So tell me again how this is better then the Galaxy gun or Death Star?

Oh, because asteriods are everywhere .

[Star Wars Fan]

Planetary shields can shrug off fleet bombarments, which can do far more damage than a rock.

okay, just giving ideas.

Starfighters fire torpedos. Rock goes boom.

how quickly can they launch (unless they're already in formation), how quickly can they respond, lock S-foils in Attack positions, etc. they might be caught by surprise.

Yep...because he had spare Hyperdrive, nav computers, starfighter grade bracing just on hand.

You are truly a fucking idiot.

he had 20 cloaking devices, which are very expensive. anyway, he has half of the Galaxy, as well as surrenders. and please, don't be hostile to me

anyway, have it drop very close to the planet, by the shield (if it's not impossible)

[Kuja]

how quickly can they launch (unless they're already in formation), how quickly can they respond, lock S-foils in Attack positions, etc. they might be caught by surprise.

I'd say it depends on the planet and the competancy of its defence forces. But Red and Gold Squadrons managed to zip around Yavin, a gas giant, in 15 minutes. Make of that what you will.

[Lord Sabre Ace]

What you are describing has, in a sense, already been designed and built. It's called the Galaxy Gun. It fires an armed, shielded, hyperspace-capable missile at the target planet. The difference is that the missile also starts a nuclear chain reaction that completely destroys the planet.

So what you're suggesting has sort-of already been done, in a much more practical way.

[Ender]

So construct a hyperdrive(for one usage) and supports(for one usage) and hope this thing isn't blown away by fighters.

So how is this a viable weapon?

Yep...really thinking on all cylinders here, moron.

it doesn't leave hyperspace. it crashes with the mass shadow in hyperspace.

You do know it'll do NOTHING then.

Ships that are destroyed in Hyperspace because of collision with Mass Shadows....their debris is either miniscule or nothing, and because of what Hyperspace is....do not affect the object they've hit, whatsoever.

So tell me again, your brillant plan, fuckard?

Actually, he's right and you are wrong.

Collisions with an object in hyperspace and one in realspace result in the complete release of the object in hyperspaces mass-energy into the target.


Of course, to equal the power of a SL, said asteroid will have to be 646 kilometers in diameter.

[Star Wars Fan]

What you are describing has, in a sense, already been designed and built. It's called the Galaxy Gun. It fires an armed, shielded, hyperspace-capable missile at the target planet. The difference is that the missile also starts a nuclear chain reaction that completely destroys the planet.

So what you're suggesting has sort-of already been done, in a much more practical way.

The Galaxy Gun. That's why they didn't do it. It is also heavily-shielded, so it can't get destroyed. Thank you, and i apologize for anything i may have done wrong.

I'd say it depends on the planet and the competancy of its defence forces. But Red and Gold Squadrons managed to zip around Yavin, a gas giant, in 15 minutes. Make of that what you will.

you can do it on a planet lke Ukio (no fighters were launched, they asked the New Republic for help.)

[Ghost Rider]

it doesn't leave hyperspace. it crashes with the mass shadow in hyperspace.

You do know it'll do NOTHING then.

Ships that are destroyed in Hyperspace because of collision with Mass Shadows....their debris is either miniscule or nothing, and because of what Hyperspace is....do not affect the object they've hit, whatsoever.

So tell me again, your brillant plan, fuckard?

Actually, he's right and you are wrong.

Collisions with an object in hyperspace and one in realspace result in the complete release of the object in hyperspaces mass-energy into the target.


Of course, to equal the power of a SL, said asteroid will have to be 646 kilometers in diameter.

Ah, okay. Got mixed up with what Saxton put down then.

[Ghost Rider]

you can do it on a planet lke Ukio (no fighters were launched, they asked the New Republic for help.)

You do understand how much is still NEEDED to get this plan to any feasibility?

Or are you throwing stuff to see what finally sticks? Literally you have to attached a hyperdrive, add in a nav computer, add in something to maintain the structure of the rock....all this in attacking a planet that ONLY has shields.

And all this is a ONE TIME device to HURT the shields.

[Stark]

So this thread boils down to 'large objects at high speed have lots of KE. All practical considerations aside, this makes for a powerful bombardment weapon'. There are, however, many significant practical problems which are being ignored by the child, regardless of how often they're raised.

To my mind, this whole argument is on a level with the 'Defiant could hide in ISD blindspot and destroy it with impunity' argument: some people just can't work out what's wrong with such useless, impractical speculation. And they're talking about HYPERDRIVE asteroids now? Jesus.

[wilfulton]

As I said earlier, if you're going to go through the investment of mounting a hyperdrive on a BFA, you might as well just build a death star. Reusable weapons platforms are so much more economical in that they can destroy over and over and over again without having to build a new one each time you want to go fuck somebody up.