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This topic has moved here: Subject: Why didn't the UNSC use NOVA Bombs more often?
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Subject: Why didn't the UNSC use NOVA Bombs more often?


Posted by: grey101
I don't understand why people assume prototypes only have 1 model or 1 product, how many types of Mjolnir do we have?


Well, MJOLNIR is a good bit different from the Nova bomb...

Even then, they can't be called all prototypes.

I view there only being one because the way it sounded/was referenced in first strike, that one was the only one.
Then the fact I don't see humanity having the resources/time to build another...

  • 07.28.2011 12:58 PM PDT

"Find where the liar hides, so that I may place my boot between his gums!" - Rtas 'Vadum

Posted by: Cmdr DaeFaron
Because there was only one Nova bomb built.

Whitcomb said that there were NOVAs, not a NOVA.

  • 07.28.2011 1:58 PM PDT


Posted by: anton1792
Posted by: Cmdr DaeFaron
Because there was only one Nova bomb built.

Whitcomb said that there were NOVAs, not a NOVA.


"either the Covenant pack those bombs up and take them home for study, a possibility that I hope to God happens.

His comment on the nova bomb... And in the recording(on the NOVA) he goes "This is the prototype NOVA Bomb."


[Edited on 07.28.2011 2:03 PM PDT]

  • 07.28.2011 2:01 PM PDT

I am alpha, i am omega.

I am the last of the primes.


Posted by: sdnomdE

Posted by: ferrrari
Posted by: ODST_SGT
By 2552, the UNSC was running low on high-yield thermonuclear devices. Not only were they expensive, it was increasingly difficult to find a sufficient amount of uranium to build more of them and also keep up with the Navy's demand.

Fussion bombs use uranium? I thought only fission bombs used that?

Actually, in my understanding, most of the energy in many fusion bombs comes from a tertiary stage fission blast of "cheap" U-238 triggered by high-energy neutrons from the fusion blast. Or something like that.

Surly it can't be that much uranium?

The unsc still had a few planets left, they must have been able to mine some uranium?

  • 07.28.2011 2:21 PM PDT

"Find where the liar hides, so that I may place my boot between his gums!" - Rtas 'Vadum

Posted by: Cmdr DaeFaron
"either the Covenant pack those bombs up and take them home for study, a possibility that I hope to God happens.
His comment on the nova bomb...

"bombs" and "them". I don't understand what you are getting at here to be honest.

Posted by: Cmdr DaeFaron
And in the recording(on the NOVA) he goes "This is the prototype NOVA Bomb."

If, in the event you are unlucky enough to come face to face with an active NOVA, it would not make much sense to refer it in the plural sense.

"These are the prototype NOVA bombs..."

"Where? I only see one."

I guess it sort of fits, both are applicable I think.

  • 07.28.2011 2:22 PM PDT

Hey, now!

This is officially either the greatest or worst thing to ever happen to Star Wars. I'm going with the former.


Posted by: ferrrari

Posted by: sdnomdE

Posted by: ferrrari
Posted by: ODST_SGT
By 2552, the UNSC was running low on high-yield thermonuclear devices. Not only were they expensive, it was increasingly difficult to find a sufficient amount of uranium to build more of them and also keep up with the Navy's demand.

Fussion bombs use uranium? I thought only fission bombs used that?

Actually, in my understanding, most of the energy in many fusion bombs comes from a tertiary stage fission blast of "cheap" U-238 triggered by high-energy neutrons from the fusion blast. Or something like that.

Surly it can't be that much uranium?

The unsc still had a few planets left, they must have been able to mine some uranium?

Easier said then done. They'd have to first look for deposits, find them, transport equipment to get it out, transport it back, etc. All very difficult to do on the best of days, but at the time it probably would be better to use those resources on other endeavors.

  • 07.28.2011 3:00 PM PDT

I'm getting he may have been refering to the one NOVA in pural, aka them taking the bombs where the NOVA was located and not there is another NOVA at Earth.

Regardless, I never got the feeling there was another NOVA bomb made.

  • 07.28.2011 3:21 PM PDT

Hey, now!

This is officially either the greatest or worst thing to ever happen to Star Wars. I'm going with the former.


Posted by: fxnavarro
You're underestimating the power of a NOVA Bomb

1. NOVA Bombs can literally crack a planet in half killing everyone on it.
2. The radiation emitted is large enough to render an entire planet uninhabitable.
3. There are only a handful in existence
4. The UNSC thought about using them on Reach but decided it would be better if the Covenant captured one, brought it home to study, KA-BOOM.
5. Its incredibly difficult to plan that. The bomb would kill anyone in proximity meaning it must be quickly transported and then the transport must flee, but most ships are too easy of targets and will probably be cut down if they're the only ones fighting but if they had support then the NOVA Bomb would kill them all.

Basically the only practical way of using one is by letting the Covenant capture one or by sacrificing a large amount of your own troops.

#4) Incorrect, what the UNSC did was leave the NOVA wherever, and if the Covenant picked it up, great, if not then it would impede the Covenant's progress on Reach. Either way it was a Win-Win.

  • 07.28.2011 3:21 PM PDT


Posted by: thebobafettest

Posted by: fxnavarro
You're underestimating the power of a NOVA Bomb

1. NOVA Bombs can literally crack a planet in half killing everyone on it.
2. The radiation emitted is large enough to render an entire planet uninhabitable.
3. There are only a handful in existence
4. The UNSC thought about using them on Reach but decided it would be better if the Covenant captured one, brought it home to study, KA-BOOM.
5. Its incredibly difficult to plan that. The bomb would kill anyone in proximity meaning it must be quickly transported and then the transport must flee, but most ships are too easy of targets and will probably be cut down if they're the only ones fighting but if they had support then the NOVA Bomb would kill them all.

Basically the only practical way of using one is by letting the Covenant capture one or by sacrificing a large amount of your own troops.

#4) Incorrect, what the UNSC did was leave the NOVA wherever, and if the Covenant picked it up, great, if not then it would impede the Covenant's progress on Reach. Either way it was a Win-Win.


It was actually planned for use in the space battle. However Whitcomb re-purposed it after the battle ended.

  • 07.28.2011 3:27 PM PDT

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