[TML] Guns in Space!

[Tod Glenn]

>>
>> However, it occurs to me that the use of such a weapon could
>> potentially cause a big increase in the amount of fast-moving debris
>> in orbits intersecting that of the vessel with the cannon - you
>> wouldn't want to be hit by your own shells or resulting debris from
>> any hits one or more orbits of the shells/debris later.
>>
> It would pretty much have to be a very SHORT ranged weapon, otherwise
> orbital mechanics would mess up your aiming point. You couldn't
> really AIM just by pointing, you'd need a really, really GOOD
> predictor gunsight...
>
> <hint>Wonder if anyone's interested in working out the math?</hint>
>


Actually, the mechanics are relatively simple, compared to the  
computing gun sites used on modern aircraft, which have to take into  
account aerodynamics, temperature, humidity and a variety of other  
factors you don;t have to worry about in space.