War in Heaven

The essay examines how physical laws would shape interplanetary combat, dismissing fanciful energy beams and force screens as impractical and favoring more ordinary weapons such as solid shot and space-mines. It argues that maneuverability, all-round fields of fire, heavy armor and crew survivability will govern ship design, leading to spherical, orbit-built warships rather than torpedo-shaped launch vehicles. Logistical limits, especially the supply and disposal of breathable air, are highlighted as decisive constraints on range and endurance, and tactical and engineering necessities are shown to determine fleet organization and combat methods more than surface-navy analogies.