3 ms·
Fission fragment rockets could actually compete with fusion here. The reaction mass is the fission fragments themselves, which could get a specific impulse of a
by mjhay 4y ago
Fission fragment rockets could actually compete with fusion here. The reaction mass is the fission fragments themselves, which could get a specific impulse of around 10^6 s. The technology to do this is within relatively easy reach, at least by interstellar rocket standards.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fission-fragment_rocket https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fission-fragment_rocket
- ethbr0 4y agoNeat links! I think nuclear propulsion is going to be the biggest beneficiary of higher mass-to-orbit-for-a-reasonable-price advances. There are a huge number of propulsion technologies that are physically possible but too heavy and/or dangerous for near-Earth use. Cheaper lift (to bootstrap) + more ongoing destinations and transit work (to drive) + outside of Earth orbit (to alleviate safety concerns) = rapid progress
- Retric 4y agoDesigns like that quickly start using a significant fraction of available fuel on earth if you want to do more than send a single tiny probe on a flyby. The proposed fuel is even worse as AM242 has a half life of 141 years making it hard to collect in bulk.