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> ... how much hydrogen? I once calculated that trying to gather it along the way (interstellar hydrogen) ... FWIW this is an old sci-fi idea / plot device cal
by lutusp 13y ago
> ... how much hydrogen? I once calculated that trying to gather it along the way (interstellar hydrogen) ...
FWIW this is an old sci-fi idea / plot device called a Bussard ramjet:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bussard_ramjet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bussard_ramjet
But this isn't meant to dispute your calculations. The linked article comes to the same conclusion: it's not feasible, too little interstellar hydrogen.
- ackydoodles 13y agoMost notional implementations of the Bussard Ramjet depend upon some sort of heretofore undiscovered force field rather than a physical structure to collect hydrogen, because size matters. Naturally, a very large force field ramjet will deplete interstellar hydrogen along the main routes between stars, leading to a situation known as "peak hydrogen", and possibly prompting the invasion of developing hydrogen-rich planets on some sort of flimsy pretext. Most scientists working on imaginary spacecraft projects therefore eschew the Bussard, correctly anticipating the moment when, shortly after the leader gives a speech on the deck of a starship in front of a huge "Hydrogen Accomplished" banner, the price of hydrogen rises to over $5 a gallon and starships are all left to rust in the front yard.
- lutusp 13y agoYep. And shortly after his victory speech, the leader is heard to loudly complain that he's been "misunderestimated".