this post was submitted on 16 Apr 2025
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Science Memes

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[–] SparroHawc@lemm.ee 1 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago) (1 children)

Although you are correct, this destroys the engine.

A good, efficient fusion engine just needs to point the exhaust end towards the enemy and the hyper-accelerated particles will punch a hole through the target for you. And then you point at the next target, etc. etc.

Also, it's a butchered quote from Larry Niven's Known Space books, referred to as the "Kzinti Lesson" - because the Kzinti thought humanity was unarmed and helpless until they discovered that humans are really good at improvising weapons.

[–] StJohnMcCrae@slrpnk.net 1 points 15 hours ago (1 children)
[–] SparroHawc@lemm.ee 1 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago)

Yup! Totally plausible - just more expensive and less repeatable. And harder to use against moving targets.