Wanted: concepts for "realistic" SciFi

[Patrick Degan]

Depends upon whether accurate enough mass detection sensors exist, and at long ranges, decoys would help hide a ship with all its stealth systems in place.

Mass detectors aren't an issue here: the giveaway for lightweight decoys are the emission spectra of their drives and power systems.

Yes, that would be difficult to fake convincingly. In which case, you have both your ships and drones coasting instead of running under drive, which would complicate the problem. A sharp enough observer on an enemy ship would probably not be fooled. A lazy one however might not notice or might be looking for something else. But yes, you do raise a valid observation.

[sgiathach]

sorry guys, have been too busy to reply to a lot of posts today.
But I'm still following the discussion. I hope I have more time again soon.