10/18/2026
Project Thor, the theoretical kinetic bombardment system, has captivated military planners for decades. I analyze the physics to see if it works.
Once in a while, I like to take a look at an obscure weapon system from history.
Rods from God, the tungsten weapon dropped from orbit, would hit with about eleven tons of TNT, not a nuclear blast, and the US Air Force studied it for decades before quietly dropping the idea. I rebuild the physics and orbital mechanics, then connect it to what Space Force Secretary Troy Meink just confirmed: America now has “on-orbit space control weapons,” and he won’t say what they do.
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Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
- Chapters!
- 00:00 – Project Thor: Myth Meets Reality
- 01:02 – Origins and Disappearance of the Thor Concept
- 03:17 – Tungsten Rod Energy and TNT Equivalence
- 04:36 – Kinetic Rod vs. Nuclear Weapon: Reality Check
- 06:32 – Atmospheric Deceleration and Engineering Challenges
- 07:32 – Practical Limits and Strategic Appeal of Space Rods
- 09:20 – Strategic Implications and Deterrence of Orbital Weapons
- 10:10 – Adversary Perception and US Space Control Weapons
- 11:02 – US Admission of On‑Orbit Space Control Weapons
- 13:15 – Potential Kinetic Space Weapons and Future Conflict
- 14:35 – Conclusion and Call to Action