User blog comment:Rozh/Surface-to-Orbit Artillery/@comment-138261-20110321013844/@comment-663564-20110321214308

I would like to propose some counters:


 * Size: That's assuming that the barrel has to be 1 km long. Considering the power and range of these weapons, I doubt hiding them is a priority,
 * Range: An ODP can hit every target it can see, while said target can fire back. While the firing arcs are more restricted on the ground, it's harder for a projectile to punch through the atmosphere.
 * Maneuverability: No, not really. Inertia's a bitch.  Orbital mechanics are, too.  Have fun either sending your ODP out into space or crashing into the ground trying to maneuver it out of the way of an energy projector.
 * Gravity and the laws of physics: Those same laws apply in an atmosphere. Yes yes, you do have air resistance, but when you're firing a projectile at relativistic speeds the force of said drag is going to be inconsequential.
 * Defence: I do agree. An ODP is in pretty much every way superior to a ground-based MAC system.  However, your reasons for this are slightly flawed.