# Most efficient type of directed energy weapon to emplace on an Orbital Death Ray?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-efficient-type-of-directed-energy-weapon-to-emplace-on-an-orbital-death-ray/623479>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 29, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-efficient-type-of-directed-energy-weapon-to-emplace-on-an-orbital-death-ray/623479 "2012-05-29T20:46:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-efficient-type-of-directed-energy-weapon-to-emplace-on-an-orbital-death-ray/623479/21 "2012-05-31T23:54:26Z")

</div>

RE: Inverse square law, I was talking about the huge parabolic mirror idea. Although focused as it might be, it’s not coherent light.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\
**Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-efficient-type-of-directed-energy-weapon-to-emplace-on-an-orbital-death-ray/623479/22 "2012-06-01T01:08:18Z")

</div>

> [@CalMeacham](#):
>
> If you really want to destroy a target on the ground, it’s a helluva lot easier and cheaper to use a weapon closer to the ground.

Not if you are not near the ground, and just to mention that’s where the target vaporizing bang is going to be so most likely not your first choice of location.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-efficient-type-of-directed-energy-weapon-to-emplace-on-an-orbital-death-ray/623479.md?page=1)