2 ms·

So potentially is this like, get to mars quicker or does it make missions to outer planets feasible?

• baq 3y ago
  Research missions up to Jupiter will benefit, perhaps Saturn with a really big ass solar array. Other than that, station keeping for Earth orbit, so longer lived birds translate to perhaps cheaper sat services.
  • cryptonector 2y ago
    You could run a propellant-cooled fission reactor to power the fusor to get the extra ISP. When you get to your destination and finish decelerating you toss the fission reactor overboard so you don't have to deal with its remaining heat.
  • rbanffy 3y ago
    Remember you can replace solar panels with RTGs if you need consistent power further from the Sun.
    • _joel 3y ago
      Sure, most are when it's at that distance from the Sun. Looking forward to seeing Dragonfly sport it's RTG https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=DRAGONFLY https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id...
• rbanffy 3y ago
  Quicker to Mars also means less shielding for the same radiation exposure and, therefore, more payload.