Kinetic Barrier (Planetary)

A planetary kinetic barrier uses laser and electromagnetic field emitters to polarize and capture atoms from the atmosphere and organize them into a physical shield. The hardness, opacity, and charge rate of kinetic barriers varies with the strength of the emitters and available power supply. Planetary kinetic barriers are infrequently used on mobile platforms as they are less reliable than using armor and devoting power generation to weapon systems and speed.

Advanced planetary governments make extensive use of them as safety systems, to include emergency domes that can draw from an entire city’s power grid in case of war or disaster.