I was curious what the actual numbers were for momentum vs kinetic energy, and equivalents. A 1 gram projectile impacting at 17km/s imparts a force of 17kg m/s. [https://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/momentum]. That same
projectile has the kinetic energy of 144,500 joules (or in American, 106,577ft/lbs).
Average adult males mass between 60-80kg, so such an impact - if fully absorbed - would contribute the momentum equivalent to a light shove to an adult human. Approx. 1/3 of a meter per second, or in American, about a foot per second of velocity. Barely enough to make someone shuffle their feet to stay upright.
Those cartridges are roughly the size of a medium carrot. Absurdly large by sport shooting standards.
YouTube 50BMG video is a bit gruesome btw (ballistic dummy), but no actual blood.
The 50BMG is the most
powerful ‘one man portable’ weapon you’re going to find, as they typically weigh over 20 lbs, and firing it is a rather intense experience. Especially since very aggressive muzzle brakes are necessary if the gun isn’t anchored to something.
Armor to protect against it is so heavy, it is pretty much impossible to wear in field operations. Think ‘bomb suit’. It will penetrate armor on many modern armored personnel carriers. 20mm is far more powerful, even without explosive shells.
And that is the size and velocity of the ‘small’ orbital debris.
Average adult males mass between 60-80kg, so such an impact - if fully absorbed - would contribute the momentum equivalent to a light shove to an adult human. Approx. 1/3 of a meter per second, or in American, about a foot per second of velocity. Barely enough to make someone shuffle their feet to stay upright.
Energy wise, however, it is the equivalent of approximately 34 grams of TNT [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/TNT_equivalent], or 2x 20mm Anzio Anti Tank rounds [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzio_20mm_rifle], or 8x 50BMG rounds [https://youtu.be/fUOh7a0cdUw?si=xX7Qzdl5ZfUUIVOs] - at the muzzle.
Those cartridges are roughly the size of a medium carrot. Absurdly large by sport shooting standards.
YouTube 50BMG video is a bit gruesome btw (ballistic dummy), but no actual blood.
The 50BMG is the most powerful ‘one man portable’ weapon you’re going to find, as they typically weigh over 20 lbs, and firing it is a rather intense experience. Especially since very aggressive muzzle brakes are necessary if the gun isn’t anchored to something.
Armor to protect against it is so heavy, it is pretty much impossible to wear in field operations. Think ‘bomb suit’. It will penetrate armor on many modern armored personnel carriers. 20mm is far more powerful, even without explosive shells.
And that is the size and velocity of the ‘small’ orbital debris.