@Pons_Aelius @inkican Pointing is aiming. And if the thing is activated, that is "fired". Sure you could attack it but orbits can be temporary and changeable. I'm not saying we shouldn't have it or use it--I'm thinking of using it as a sort of retrofitted weapon in a novel, is all. And it will happen if there's combat in space, which there will be.
@Pons_Aelius @inkican And how would that be used as a weapon, fired at bases, from an orbiting vehicle? I'm writing this down!
@inkican cute clickbait headline syfy dot com. I guess though one would be melting a little bit o' the moon.
John Shirley @wandering.shop Author of numerous novels & 11 story collections. Won the Bram Stoker Award. Writes sf, horror, fantasy, westerns, thrillers. Yes, westerns. Worked in TV & movies, eg Star Trek: DS9 and The Crow. Created Instantfuture.org site. Fronts rock bands. Very progressive Democrat. Socialist. Environmentalist. Pro LGBTQ. Writes weird, rhyming poetry & lyrics. Tired of arguing. Watching world burn and trying to think of a way to put out the fire. Interested in spirituality. Supports NASA and SCIENCE.