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Braking against the interstellar medium (and possibly the stellar wind as you get closer) using magnetosail-like devices… between the stars isn’t completely emp
by Robotbeat 5y ago
Braking against the interstellar medium (and possibly the stellar wind as you get closer) using magnetosail-like devices… between the stars isn’t completely empty but has a diffuse plasma that can be pushed against magnetically or electrostatically. This is how you’d slow down in pretty much any scenario as it is “propellantless.” It’s a big challenge to get the superconducting coils light enough, but it is a critical piece to interstellar flight, particularly if crewed.
- davedx 5y agoI actually ran numbers on electrosails to decelerate, they do not work, at all - many orders of magnitude. Email me for spreadsheet. Pulsed nuclear propulsion is the only tech we have that works
- Robotbeat 5y agoElectrosails aren’t as good for this as magnetosails; I just included electrosails for completeness.
- Chris2048 5y agoCould a black hole be used? There is apparently a BH with 3x solar mass about 1,500LY away - escape velocity at 830 radius (about 820km from event horizon) is about 0.1c.