Nickel is essential in the production of stainless steel and other corrosion- resistant alloys.

Cobalt metal is used in corrosion- resistant alloys that keep their strength at high temperatures.

Not so much laser- resistant alloys, though, as laser-reflective.

"You're trying to develop laser- resistant alloys, to harden satellites against being blinded or destroyed by enemy lasers-ground-basedor space-based.