Re: Orbits Defined

The un-educated view of this orbit bombardment question.

A planets defences will really only exist near areas of importance. 
Cities, military bases etc.
No planet is going to have missile or defence batteries placed every 
10 miles or so across the whole planets surface.

I belive warfare for planets would go along these lines.

Orbital defences are the first line of defence. If they are destroyed 
then the attacking fleet can either land forces or simply throw rocks 
at the planet. Now there will be nothing a planets defences could do 
to shoot down incoming rocks. (without some fantastical future 
weapon).
But if the invaders actually want the planet then they land forces.
The planetary defenders must then move quickly to repel the attackers 
as soon as they land.

In my opinion missiles either from the planets surface would move far 
to slowly to pose a threat to orbiting ships.

In my own background after orbital defences are destroyed the planet 
protects itself by launching space capable fighters and streamlined 
ships to continue the space combat.

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Jeremey Claridge
jeremy.claridge@kcl.ac.uk