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[Stirk]

We can reliably get a small number of small payloads into orbit, why not set up those commutations satellites I talked about?

S1 Bouncer

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

This automated satellite receives and retransmits with directed radio waves, controlled by commands on the ground and carrying a solar panel for long term power.  Movement is controlled by a reserve of mono propellent.  They can be chained to allow fast communication over vast distances.

The primary new tech here is very basic automation and LEO to surface radio.

Or a better needle?

Needle LRAAM

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

A Long-range air to air missile that uses semi-active radar homing.  Uses the same basic frame as the Needle SRAAM but with a larger reserve of liquid fuel and a higher thrust engine to compensate.  Loses accuracy at long range when it can not be directed.[1 Ore, 2 Chemical, Inexpensive]

Basically just adding more fuel and compensating the design a bit.  I would prefer developing a new mix with the same mass but more energy but I doubt we can do that now.

Why not? Well, we are losing all deep-atmosphere fights at the moment. Non-combat satellites would be shot down like clay pigeons. We don't have a pressing need for a communication satellite at *this* moment. It would be something that would be great to deploy once we can get them protected.

We might be able to just modify the current missiles for better performance-instead of using up our one design on them. As long as we can thing of something else to design at least.

Also, I just realized the Spy satellite the enemies had made this turn probably can be used for...spying. We may want to find a way to counter it, so we don't fall behind on intelligence.

I *still* prefer a space station, at least the early stages of one. I do not understand the reluctance to put one in orbit, we have some extra ore that we will have to use, we need to get space under our control, and we have a National Effort spot we need to put into use.

We seem to have a lot more resources this turn... 4 ore 3 chemicals if my calculations are correct.

How about a surface to orbit missile.  It would not need to achieve an actual orbit if it just hits the target halfway through it's decent. 

Alternatively we could have a solar concentrator satellite network that overheats enemies by focusing sunlight from a dozen points all on one.

Some kind of moon armor?

I like the moon armor idea, though I think we should make a better gun first. They will probably try to upgrade their own gun after we took the moon, we will be able to better design the armor after we know what we are up against. I also like the SOM, but we are going to need some major guidance on it if we expect it to actually hit anything.

Heat dispersal is a serious issue in space. If we can make a directed heat laser, we can fry pretty much anybody in a ship.

A bullet or missile does the same thing. Well, except it is better at killing it. We would also overheat ourselves using it...

This stylish suit of alloyed armor is strait up medieval.  Large plates cover most of the body with thinner flexible scales covering joints, protecting against most small arms fire reliably and possibly even higher caliber guns.  It has menacing spikes on the helmet spikes and sharp blades over the right hand.  Mostly assembled in orbit from multiple launches due to it's extreme weight.

I like it! If we are going heavier, how about we add some form of bracing system allowing us to use high-caliber weapons easily? Maybe some kind of retractable cleats to brace into the Lunar surface, magnets in the hands, or just a simple strap system?

[VoidSlayer]

Eh, I would prefer to have counterbalanced firing mechanisms for our firearms rather then bracing, but if you want to add it go ahead!

[Stirk]

Eh, I would prefer to have counterbalanced firing mechanisms for our firearms rather then bracing, but if you want to add it go ahead!

We can have both. My general thoughts where that this armor is simple enough that we should add any planned features in now, to give our poor researches something to do. It doesn't take a lot of time to perfect "Suit of armor", at least not compared to some of our other things.

[VoidSlayer]

Ten Suns

This small remotely controlled satellite rotates a mirror surface to concentrate sunlight on a target in orbit.  The system is designed to be operated in groups to overheat a target.

[~Neri]

Ten Suns

This small remotely controlled satellite rotates a mirror surface to concentrate sunlight on a target in orbit.  The system is designed to be operated in groups to overheat a target.

I like this idea.

[VoidSlayer]

Our rocket and this design are due to be cheap so we can field a ton of em.

[Stirk]

Ten Suns

This small remotely controlled satellite rotates a mirror surface to concentrate sunlight on a target in orbit.  The system is designed to be operated in groups to overheat a target.

Meh, not a fan of it. We can't really aim it well enough from the ground, it has no anti-missile capabilities, and is useless against atmospheric targets like the jets we are fighting. Some of the tech that goes into this could be useful layer, for shields and such, but I don't think the concept will work well. Even a missile sat remove many of these problems.

[~Neri]

Ten Suns

This small remotely controlled satellite rotates a mirror surface to concentrate sunlight on a target in orbit.  The system is designed to be operated in groups to overheat a target.

Meh, not a fan of it. We can't really aim it well enough from the ground, it has no anti-missile capabilities, and is useless against atmospheric targets like the jets we are fighting. Some of the tech that goes into this could be useful layer, for shields and such, but I don't think the concept will work well. Even a missile sat remove many of these problems.

Missile sats require reloading. These things could operate indefinitely.

[VoidSlayer]

Honestly I am just brainstorming here.  I think a heavier payload rocket or a surface to orbit missile would be best.

[~Neri]

Those cost more to field and don't have area denial.

[Stirk]

Ten Suns

This small remotely controlled satellite rotates a mirror surface to concentrate sunlight on a target in orbit.  The system is designed to be operated in groups to overheat a target.

Meh, not a fan of it. We can't really aim it well enough from the ground, it has no anti-missile capabilities, and is useless against atmospheric targets like the jets we are fighting. Some of the tech that goes into this could be useful layer, for shields and such, but I don't think the concept will work well. Even a missile sat remove many of these problems.

Missile sats require reloading. These things could operate indefinitely.

Run against what exactly? This weapon isn't able to damage any of our enemies assets besides their unarmed sats. It just isn't built for this war. We could just design disposable missile sats or go for the space station I had been pointlessly pushing.

Honestly I am just brainstorming here.  I think a heavier payload rocket or a surface to orbit missile would be best.

I know, your the one coming up with all our ideas right now :p. I am just putting my two cents in as a vote.

[~Neri]

Disposable missile sats would prolly be a good idea.

[Graknorke]

Missiles to kind of blockade space? Sounds good. Since the only satellite the socialists have is their space-photographer, a bit of taking that down could do good.
Since we're taking down satellites in space too, we could easily use a less aerodynamic version of the existing SRAAM missiles as ballistic projectiles, they don't have to be powered the entire flight.

EDIT: Actually with the maneuvering and most of the navigation computer stuff stripped out the projectile would probably more resemble a traditional explosive shell than it would any sort of rocket.

[Stirk]

Might as well polish off the idea then:

Sunrise Disposable Missile Sat
A simple design, essentially a bare-bones satellite based around a single missile tube. Not made to be reloaded, it is design almost resembles single shot infantry anti-tank and anti-air weapons. ...hard to do on phone.

[Graknorke]

A single tube? I'd have gone for at least 4 otherwise it's kind of a waste isn't it?

But I've gone over the idea a bit and I figure that 8 should be comfortable number (I mean, if we can get astronauts up then we can get quite a few small projectiles in). Calculations on firing angles can be done on the ground and passed to the satellite which only needs to rotate to those angles and fire the rockets. The satellite is literally just a platform to stick missile tubes on, it shouldn't be any more complicated than existing comms satellites.
Since we're dealing with space distances here there need to be measures to give as much accuracy leeway as possible. An obvious way around is just to fire more than one rocket at once, to allow for the inherent imprecision that you'll get. Then when the missile is within a certain distance of the target (this could be either by a configurable mechanical timer or more likely triggered by a radio signal) it detonates a directed charge that sends very dense shrapnel in a tight arc (10 degrees or so?) towards whatever is meant to be hit. Sharapnel will still badly damage any sort of sensitive equipment, and has a decent chance of doing nasty things to pressurised hulls.