Comments on: Marines from Outer Space. No, Really.

By: Frank Chadwick

Frank Chadwick — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:36:30 +0000

It seems to me that replenishment can be handled the same way
as insertion. Extraction is the big problem, but really no more so
than with any other non-conventional means of insertion. As to
the unique advantage of this inserion means, I think the
bypassing of adjoining national airspace is the key.

The problem, it seems to me, is the enormous — and I mean really
really enormous — cost of getting this craft and the Marines in it
into low orbit, along with whatever additional supplies are
required to sustain the operation.

By: Mattias

Mattias — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:38:12 +0000

This is a nice concept, my question is what does it accomplish that the current hi-lo insertions doesn’t? The Marines will still be stranded in
hostile territory without means of replenishment. Fix that part first, or alternatively work on something that reall would make Heinlein proud i.e. a
completely self-sufficient armor for the Marines. Then the method of insertion will be of less importance.

By: A.J.L.

A.J.L. — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:37:03 +0000

Cap Marines? Starship Marines….? Still “just” Marines. ;)

By: Thomas Knight

Thomas Knight — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:06:13 +0000

I’ve read about HALO jumping that Army rangers & Navy Seals
have performed. HALO jumping means high altitude, low open.
That involves jumping from a plane at over 80,000 feet or so,
and opeing their chutes at around 10 to 20 thousand feet or less.
But, if they can actually ride in a vehicle from 50 miles
(264,000 feet) up right down to the ground w/o anything
happening to the craft, more power to them.
Doing a HALO jump would escape radar though.