hey pw, is something like this possible in ER:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i9rS-x4aT5w
You can assume the system we would use might have extra gauss/railgun systems to help launch it up (eg kinda like a LESHO). It also doesn't have to be equally 'man-portable' as this, something exoskeleton-fired would also be ok. Or hell, a small stationary system (like how a mortar can be used by a regular human, but said human couldn't use it on the move, he has to deploy it first). Finally, assume the target is a spaceship that's in an orbit allowing it to do precision laser bombardment.
Well thats the silliest fucking defense system I've ever seen.
Anyways, so you're basically just asking if we can create some sort of ground based, semi-portable missile system for engaging targets in close orbit?
Yes (for the record, they used that so the peeps on that station could deny they themselves shot that ship full of refugees. It was for 'plausible deniability'). Failing that, how big would such a system (aka rail/gauss launcher, with rockets to further boost it up) need to be to target ships in such an orbit? Assume a payload capable of dealing decent damage to such a spaceship (shaped nuclear charge perhaps?)
((Reposting before I forget.))
Well, depends on the planet it's used on honestly. Earth level gravity would make getting a handheld rocket off the planet pretty damn hard. You'd need some serious thrust on that thing, or a lot of time for it to putt putt up and out of the atmosphere slowly. How far off planet are we talking here? Upper atmosphere? Near space?
Even something like upper atmosphere is probably gonna require a large enough rocket that this system will need to be strapped to the back of a battle suit or something similar.