WIP - Orion Nuclear Pulse, 10m USAF version by starbase1
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Description
This is my current work in progress, the 10 metre USAF version of the Orion nuclear pulse spacecraft.
For those unfamiliar, this real (but nuts) design was based on dropping atomic bombs out the back of the spacecraft every second or so, and riding the blast wave (via the big shock absorbers at the rear), to very high velocities.
The really surprising things are that tests showed the blast does not significantly damage a well designed pusher plate, and very little radiation reaches the crew areas.
You can't say the same for anyone round the back end though...
This version was intended to me lofted on chemical rockets, leaving the atmosphere before the atomic engine started.
Comments (3)
Cyve
Fantastic creation... Wonderfully done!
edfitch13
Capable of lofting and propelling an 80-ton spaceship! China has said they are interested in the Orion concept to establish lunar and planetary colonies, so we may have to re-visit this approach in the future.
starbase1
NASA are also said to be re-examining it, carefully avoiding words like 'nuclear' and 'atomic'!
Greywolf44
Very cool idea and some nice design work and craftsmanship on your part. I await the finished product.