"Rocket War Resources" Topic

Just got a vintage 1981 Triplanetary game, and downloaded the new Steve Jackson Games rule set for it. He did a great job, btw.

Got me thinking about rocket wars within our solar system, which seems a heckuva lot more likely than, oh, Star Wars.

So where is humanity with exploring and then fighting over the solar system? I don't know, and I'm not qualified to answer! But it's fun to explore.

For example, at its closest approach, Mars is about 34 million miles from earth at its closest point. Figuring a 10-day trip to be militarily useful comes to 3.4 million miles A DAY. This would require an average velocity of 142,000 mph which sounds crazy, but I looked it up and NASA's Juno spacecraft is the fastest man made object ever recorded, at roughly 165,000 mph as it approached Jupiter.

What would be some good resources, preferably a book or two, that looks at a reasonable and feasible future for the next 100 years of tech development and near space exploration. Space opera just gives it a hand wave, so is useless [but fun]. I'm wondering where might we be in 25, 50, 75 even 100 years, in our own solar system.

I'm not a scientist, but I'm not uneducated or illiterate, so hoping to find something that is understandable to further my knowledge and understanding.

And if it should be closely related to gaming, miniatures and such, so much the better!

Thanks in advance for any leads.

I think we've lost the wind in our sails for space exploration. In the next 100 years or so, there may be some 'battles' over space stations, but I doubt there would be anything around other planets. Considering the costs of building and maintaining a space station or moon base, it's easier to have at it on good ole Terra. But space battles are more fun.

The above are simply my opinions and not based on any real research. Your mileage may vary.

The first fight will be for the moon, and/or some very, very, very valuable rock in space people want to secure mining rights too. Claim jumpers in space will be all the rage.

I'm waiting for the moon to be declared an extension of the South China Sea soon, despite the USA planting its flag there first.

Yes, and all this makes sense before "the plague" drives space and colonial expansion. But now, the purse strings will be opened for us to escape to new worlds, new civilizations and BOLDLY GO where NO MAN has gone before!!

Or something like that.

Anyway, any books to recommend?

Found great website, Atomic Rockets, here:
link

Not a book, but I made a page that might help with some of the maths.
tangent-zero.com/rocket_cal.htm

Yes, and all this makes sense before "the plague" drives space and colonial expansion.

Best place to be when there's a plague somewhere else: Space Station

Worst place to be in the middle of a plague: Space Station

@Ghostrunner

Yeah! I am thinking that the wet Navy must be pooping themselves over the possibility of a plague ship event. How can you social distance in all those little rooms?

Still, at least they can open the port holes for fresh air… my limited understanding of space travel is that is ill-advised.

Not books, but I can point you toward two games……
Attack Vector Tactical
link

High Frontier
link

AV is easy to get a copy of
High Frontier is not.
Both games focus on the near future one on tactical ship combat the other is exploration. Both are extensively researched.

@Inari7
I got a copy of High Frontier…mint in shrinkwrap, just waiting for the right people with whom to open and play it.

I also just acquired a copy of Warp War, which is an amazing little game. Toss in models by this guy:
link

And you are all ready to go!

Well this is a little off topic but ironically I am working on a board game, right now called "Escaping Earth 2105". Its not so much a space combat game but alliances of countries or world organizations racing against time to get the resources and develop the tech needed to build colonies around the solar system and even a generational ship that can go to one of two relatively near by stars that by this time they are pretty sure have earth like planets. Players each choose one of the "groups" of countries, each with their own special abilities, stats, etc. I would put up a pic of my game board but never could figure out how to get the links to make the pics show up.
Anyway, just thought I would mention it since it was kinda on this post topic and I thought it ironic. Have done a couple play test and so far so good:)