"Tim Attwood" <tim### [at] comcastnet> wrote:
> I'm of the opinion that a large enough power source, such as
> a nuclear reactor, could produce enough electric power to fuel a large
> ion thuster. If a thrust to power ratio of around 50 mN/kW is assumed, and
> a total ship weight of 10 tons then we're looking for a power source of
> about 2 gigawatts. This would let a ship accelerate a little over 1G for
> extended periods. Such a ship could make a round trip to Alpha Centari A in
> about 9 years. If such a vehicle was unmanned then little of the radiation
> shielding would be needed, which is what turns a reactor into a big building
> with 6ft thick cement walls.

Tim, Tim! How un-friendly sending an unshielded nuclear reactor to our
nearest neighbour :-(
What are you trying to do, start an interstellar war?


Stephen

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