Emphaisis 'nuclear thermal' as opposed to 'thermo nuclear' 
That's pretty much how the KIWI works, only we used liquid hydrogen instead of water since it's a better coolant/propellant when you have to take it with you. We screwed around with them all the way back in the 60's and they get you about 2-3 times more payload, and we could probably push that out a bit further these days, but 2-3 times isn't really worth it considering the risks, or the perceived risks anyway, which are tangible. Get far enough away from the planet where its totally safe to use nuclear and where large payload is needed and you may as well just start rising thermonuclear blasts instead, more speed that way.
Even though I'm a bit of a hippie who doesn't really like these things, wouldn't a nuclear based propuslion system be possible? Nuclear reactor heats pressurised water and steam is ejected or something like that?
That's pretty much how the KIWI works, only we used liquid hydrogen instead of water since it's a better coolant/propellant when you have to take it with you. We screwed around with them all the way back in the 60's and they get you about 2-3 times more payload, and we could probably push that out a bit further these days, but 2-3 times isn't really worth it considering the risks, or the perceived risks anyway, which are tangible. Get far enough away from the planet where its totally safe to use nuclear and where large payload is needed and you may as well just start rising thermonuclear blasts instead, more speed that way.
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.
- Albert Einstein
King of Cairhien 20-7-2
Chancellor of the Landsraad, Archduke of Is'Mod
- Albert Einstein
King of Cairhien 20-7-2
Chancellor of the Landsraad, Archduke of Is'Mod
NASA unveils new spaceflight rocket
- 14/09/2011 07:50:09 PM
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I wanted to be happy but I have to say I am a little sad.
- 14/09/2011 08:48:53 PM
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I have to agree
- 14/09/2011 10:05:08 PM
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Uh huh.
- 14/09/2011 10:11:09 PM
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That's a nucear thermal rocket
- 14/09/2011 11:07:02 PM
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It does say in the article ...
- 14/09/2011 10:20:19 PM
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We don't use petroleum in most rockets and never have used them much
- 14/09/2011 10:53:14 PM
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Hi Guys!
- 15/09/2011 01:44:13 AM
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do you really believe a space elevator is doable with current materials?
- 15/09/2011 05:45:01 AM
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