Maybe a bit of an oddball topic around here but it just popped into my head and was wondering if you brainiacs know the answer. :-D
I saw a documentary about space combat. Certain weapons were addressed, like rail guns, asteroid projectiles and what not. The most efficient weapon to me seems to be lasers. Not only don't they need ammo (well not in the traditional sense) but they are also unavoidable since they move at the speed of light, so the target can never see it coming.
The question however is: How effective is reflective armor versus lasers?
Can a laser become more powerful than any material can reflect/withstand? Or will dedicated anti-laser material/armor always be more effective than the laser itself?
What is the most reflective material we know right now? I'm assuming that even when it's 99%, that 1% that will get through will heat up the material, and then it's just a matter of a more powerful laser till the material melts. Right..?
Can anyone shed some light on this issue? :wink:
The future of space combat: Lasers or not?