[World Building] A Future History of Space Force

[Polydamas]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

Unguided projectiles are not going to be very effective past very short distances and very close relative speeds. Rendezvous in orbit is not easy, not by a long shot, and it gets harder if the target is capable of counter maneuver.

If the battle is in Earth orbit, then any space-based weapons will be overwhelmed by missiles launched from earth as soon as a belligerent rotates into the right position and its missiles reach orbit. At least one nation has destroyed an object in Earth orbit with an anti-satellite missile whereas everyone's anti-satellite satellites, drones, and ROVs are secret and untested.

Lots of discussions of the likely merits of various weapons in space with a lot more evidence, thought, and math than in this thread, just saying (eg. Children of a Dead Earth, Attack Vector: Tactical, Project Rho).