I recommend sticking a long piece of conductor to the satellite, rather than banging on it with spaceships (;-)) https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Z-H-Zhu/publication/251422339_Deorbiting_Dynamics_of_Electrodynamic_Tether/links/5cd4446b299bf14d95849bc3/Deorbiting-Dynamics-of-Electrodynamic-Tether.pdf (From York, one of my local universities) As for the starship, it should treat asteroids like mines, and assume someone is trying to "sink" them. --dave On 11/3/22 13:37, Bruce Perens via Starlink wrote: If you own a 50 ton spaceship, please do not intentionally hit any asteroids or other objects with it. What you get is smaller objects heading in different directions at different velocities, none of which are all that predictable, and in total more danger to objects in space than before and still significant danger to ground objects. What you want is to turn it harmless. This is done by gently attaching to it and then giving it a controlled push. I've been curious about what one could do over time just using the pressure of light from the ground, or enough light to gassify material to add delta V, however high power devices for this would also be effective weapons. Thanks Bruce On Thu, Nov 3, 2022 at 5:28 PM Dave Taht via Starlink > wrote: So, what would happen if we hit one of these (3 new ones discovered yesterday) with 50tons of starship, at 15 klicks per second? [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atira_asteroid the three new ones, discovered and announced a day or three back: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/three-near-earth-asteroids-were-hiding-in-the-suns-glare-180981055/ (Atira class are rocks within earth orbit. They are very hard to see, probably overly baked (low on volatiles), and get bright sun all the time) [1] I'm very inspired by DART, but afraid to do the math for this tonnage and speed. (anyone? there's a LOT of zeroes... ) I have project ploughshare on my mind, except kinetic, and it's less deflection on my mind than reducing a rubble pile to rubble, identifying the good pieces, and bringing them back. -- This song goes out to all the folk that thought Stadia would work: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dtaht_the-mushroom-song-activity-6981366665607352320-FXtz Dave Täht CEO, TekLibre, LLC _______________________________________________ Starlink mailing list Starlink@lists.bufferbloat.net https://lists.bufferbloat.net/listinfo/starlink -- Bruce Perens K6BP _______________________________________________ Starlink mailing list Starlink@lists.bufferbloat.net https://lists.bufferbloat.net/listinfo/starlink -- David Collier-Brown, | Always do right. This will gratify System Programmer and Author | some people and astonish the rest dave.collier-brown@indexexchange.com | -- Mark Twain CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER : This telecommunication, including any and all attachments, contains confidential information intended only for the person(s) to whom it is addressed. Any dissemination, distribution, copying or disclosure is strictly prohibited and is not a waiver of confidentiality. If you have received this telecommunication in error, please notify the sender immediately by return electronic mail and delete the message from your inbox and deleted items folders. This telecommunication does not constitute an express or implied agreement to conduct transactions by electronic means, nor does it constitute a contract offer, a contract amendment or an acceptance of a contract offer. Contract terms contained in this telecommunication are subject to legal review and the completion of formal documentation and are not binding until same is confirmed in writing and has been signed by an authorized signatory.