7 ms·
That doesn't sound like something that could get you off of the Earth. It's probably a great choice for once you're already in space, where being able to apply
by jerf 4y ago
That doesn't sound like something that could get you off of the Earth.
It's probably a great choice for once you're already in space, where being able to apply even very small thrusts nearly-continuously really adds up.
- walrus01 4y agoThe Soviets literally launched reactors into space in the late 70s for very high RF power radar satellites (intended to track US navy, among other things). One deorbited over northern Canada. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=soviet+rorsat https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=soviet+ro... Of course anything related to hall effect/ion thrusters isn't going to get you off the earth even with some of the theoretical/bench-tested-only 100kW (electrical load) thrusters under development. These are things with very low thrust at any instantaneous moment in time but very high specific impulse from 3800 to 6000 ISP or more. Meant to be used in vacuum only.
- Schroedingersat 4y agoSpace based fission electric isn't very good though. Hence why they use PV now. NASA are developing a system that aims to be 6.67We/kg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilopower https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilopower Compare to 50We/kg for cheap consumer grade flexible PV designed to be kicked around for a decade including an inverter. And that's with an atmosphere to use as a heatsink instead of radiators.