I had to double-check with the Atomic Rocketship website. You are correct in that the energy released by a normal nuclear detonation in a vacuum would follow th

I had to double-check with the Atomic Rocketship website. You are correct in that the energy released by a normal nuclear detonation in a vacuum would follow the inverter square law, and would not transfer force as effectively over distance as it would in a fluid medium. Note that I said "normal" nuclear weapon. ;-) The Atomic Rocketship page describes something called a Casaba Howitzer. This is basically a shaped charge version of a nuke, that discharges its energy in a beam or cone shape. Details beyond that are still classified. Anyway, there's more than you ever wanted to know here: http://www.projectrho.com/public_html/rocket/spacegunconvent.php http://www.projectrho.com/public_html/rocket/spacegunconvent... Search within that page for "nuclear" or "Casaba" and have fun.