Re: Real Life Thrust (was: hyperspace)

Sam wrote:
>If it's powerful enough to accelerate a massive craft at decent
>velocities, I think we can assume that you don't want to get in
>its way. Much like other high-energy drives.

Except most other drives do not have continuous output covering vast
distances of space, or require constant attention and delicate
adjustments.
If debris passed through the laser's path, its interference might
disrupt
the flight path as only a portion of the beam strikes its intended
target's
surface area.  This could send the ship off course as well as make it
difficult for the laser to home in on the target area again.

>Depends on the size of the lasers. The Moties in _Mote in Gods Eye_
>had one going for a long time if I remember to power their scout
>across several light years.

Well if we're talking sci-fi, they could probably find a way to push a
black
hole. ;)

Mike Miserendino