From: Technotranscendence (neptune@superlink.net)
Date: Sun Sep 07 2003 - 07:09:48 MDT
On Saturday, September 06, 2003 11:32 AM Spike spike66@comcast.net
wrote:
> Robert J. Bradbury wrote:
>
>> Use the current Russian RD-180 engines [1]
>> (or RD-170 engines) or the SSME [2] (take
>> into account fuel/weight differences) and get
>> me a first stage booster with Saturn V liftoff
>> capacity.
>
> And then to make it really interesting -- you
> might take a stab at using nuclear power...
> Robert
>
> Nuclear power isn't applicable to first or second
> stages, where you need very large thrust.
Huh? Nuclear power could achieve higher thrust. Don't compare NERVA
data which was only a test bed to F-1s, SSMEs, or other engines that
made it out of the lab. Nuclear powered rockets can achieve higher
temperatures and exhaust velocities. The chief drawback is they're
tough sells politically.
Recently, I got to see the 1950 film "Destination Moon." It's
interesting to see that the rocket in that flick -- and, it seems, for
its time, the film is very realistic, kind of "hard science
fiction":) -- is nuclear powered. It's also one of the sticking points
of the launch... I don't want to spoil the film for those who haven't
seen it.
Cheers!
Dan
http://uweb.superlink.net/neptune/MyWorksBySubject.html
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