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This case is different though, using the fission reaction to generate electricity which in turn powers the electric motors among other things. The nuclear powe
by nickserv 7y ago
This case is different though, using the fission reaction to generate electricity which in turn powers the electric motors among other things.
The nuclear powered missiles use the fission reaction to heat incoming air similar to how a jet engine works.
- Sharlin 7y agoNo fission reaction, just radioactive decay in Dragonfly's case. It will use an RTG (radioisotope thermoelectric generator) not unlike Curiosity and most missions to the outer planets to date.
- thatcherc 7y agoJust a note - radioactive decay is is fission, since it involves a nucleus splitting apart.
- Sharlin 7y agoNo, not quite. One of the types of radioactive decay is spontaneous fission, but it's not relevant in the context of RTGs. Alpha decay (the emission of a 4He nucleus) might in principle be called "fission" but in practice is not. Beta decay involves no splitting whatsoever.
- elihu 7y agoRTGs are heavy; I suppose this means that it'll park itself for a long time to charge its batteries and then do a quick flight and repeat. Which sounds like it could work pretty well for this use case. On the other hand, a hot-air balloon kept aloft by excess heat from radioactive metal might be a more attractive option if we were selecting proposals based on awesomeness.
- pault 7y agoDoes that mean a nuclear powered cruise missile could stay airborne until mechanical failure? That would make future warfare... interesting.
- sandworm101 7y agoIt isn't all that much of a game changer. Mid-air refueling means that bombers can stay airborne a long time. Four or five bombers rotating back and forth can maintain one "on station" continuously. So the capability is already there. This tech would just make it more scifi.