• @[email protected]OP
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    810 months ago

    this thing is big enough to alter the average reflective index of a whole state if it swings around its mirrors

    the focus spot in theorie could be set to any range, just as u go more far the precision of each mirror angle will be the limiting factor amongst atmospheric losses distortions.

    • @[email protected]
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      10 months ago

      Even if the actuators had enough precision, which they almost certainly do not, there’s no way the mirrors are flat enough to keep the light collimated that far out. The angular spread would make the intensity much lower at orbital altitudes.

      • Smuuthbrane
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        410 months ago

        True, however even if you get nearly 400MW of energy focused roughly, that’s going to be well outside the operating parameters of satellites. The only thing that would save them would be the fact that they’re moving at orbital speed and would only be subject to that beam for milliseconds.