|
Post by subunit on Nov 16, 2016 8:04:53 GMT
The Atomic Rockets link thorneel provided mentions that; it suggests all you're doing is spending a bunch of energy to put crappy armor with holes in it in space that could be better used on the hull.
|
|
|
Post by Easy on Nov 16, 2016 13:59:28 GMT
Aerogel. The low density particulate shield that stops lasers and nuclear flashes is called aerogel.
It might not have an on/off switch or regenerative ability, but you also don't have to worry about turning it on or off.
|
|
|
Post by lawson on Nov 16, 2016 16:13:06 GMT
What about spraying a magnetized particulate cloud into space around your ship and using an electromagnetic field to hold it in place? The same could be done for drones allowing such a defense to be placed along the line of sight between your ship and Laser armed opponents. It would be cool if you could use a magnetically contained high-velocity vortex of plasma (unlike magnetized particles it remains suspectable to magnetism when heated by lasers or hypervelocity impacts) around your vessel to disrupt laser beams and hypervelocity projectiles. A plasma donut gun might work if you can find a plasma that absorbs or refracts most lasers. (Tokomak reactors are donut shaped for a reason) The donut would still dissipate in a couple of seconds, but that might be all that's needed. More likely though I think laser armor for lasers will be multi-layer. First layer would aim to diffuse the light with minimum absorption spaced several meters above following layers. Second layer would be reflective and actively cooled. Third layer would be an ablative layer designed to make thick opaque smoke and buy time if a laser gets close enough to shatter/melt the diffuser layer. (guns would be an ideal match for this armor due to the curved path bullets usually take. Would allow the gun to hide completely from laser fire.)
|
|
|
Post by subunit on Nov 21, 2016 22:00:12 GMT
Armor layer cooling is another good one- we should really be able to hook metallic layers into rads as it stands I think.
|
|