Flywheel Bombs and Asteroid Propulsion: The Future of Mass Destruction?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of flywheel bombs and asteroid propulsion as potential methods for mass destruction. Participants explore the feasibility, energy capacity, and practical considerations of flywheel bombs, as well as the economic implications and technical challenges of redirecting asteroids towards Earth.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the energy density achievable in flywheels and whether they could be designed to "detonate," raising concerns about minimum and maximum sizes for such devices.
  • Another participant suggests that using asteroids for propulsion could be extremely costly, estimating expenses in the trillions or quadrillions of dollars.
  • A historical reference is made to the SR-71's consideration of kinetic energy bombs, highlighting the potential for high-speed impacts without traditional warheads.
  • One participant challenges the cost estimate, arguing that with the right conditions and a long timeline, the financial burden could be significantly reduced through strategic planning and resourcefulness.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility and cost of asteroid propulsion, with some suggesting it could be economically viable under certain conditions, while others maintain that it would be prohibitively expensive. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the practicality of flywheel bombs and the economic aspects of asteroid manipulation.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not provided detailed calculations or definitions, leaving assumptions about energy capacities and costs unverified. The discussion includes speculative elements regarding the timeline and methods for achieving asteroid propulsion.

kjones000
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Here is the idea -- flywheel bombs.

Just how much energy CAN you pack into a flywheel per kg? Could it be made to "detonate"? Is there a minimum practical size for a flywheel bomb? Could detectors be created for airports to detect them? Is there an upper limit to practical size?

On a similar note, as computing power increases, it just gets easier and easier for someone to get an asteroid moving REALLY fast using dozens of planetary flybys and then sending it to earth. If you do the math, small and fast is LOTS more dangerous than big and slow. I am envisioning a asteroid propulsion system that starts with one small push followed by millions of micro course corrections. Is this how the world will end?
 
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The asteroid thing... that would be really expensive, like trillions or quadrillions of dollars :rolleyes:
 
When the SR-71 was in development, one arnament they were considering was kinetic energy bombs: dropped from 85,000 feet, at 2,000mph, with maybe a small rocket motor, a bomb doesn't need a warhead.
 
I haven't done the math, but I suspect you are off by many orders of magnitude on that trillions of dollars statement. The key to low cost is leverage. You pick the right asteroid, you pick the right time, you pick the right flight path, you pick the right propulsion method, you steal your computing power using a virus, and you have plenty of patience. If you are willing to wait 60 years to achieve your goal, destruction becomes much easier.
 
I haven't done the math, but I suspect you are off by many orders of magnitude on that trillions of dollars statement. The key to low cost is leverage. You pick the right asteroid, you pick the right time, you pick the right flight path, you pick the right propulsion method, you steal your computing power using a virus, and you have plenty of patience. If you are willing to wait 60 years to achieve your goal, destruction becomes much easier.

...Muahahahaha Muahahahaha :devil:
 

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