Talk:The Fundamentals of space Travel

From NewMars

@John Creighton creighton, Okay I created the page. I pulled the numbers for mass fraction off the top of my head so someone please check them.

Deltas

I don't know what you know, but as far as I know there does not exist a rocket system called the Delta V. There is a Delta IV, but it is only rated for a maximum payload of 25 tons or so, seems you are listing 40 MegaTons.

Maybe that is total weight, but that doesn't work either since the Engines on the Delta IV put out ~900 tons of thrust give or take. This means that when the whole system weighs in at 40 megatons, the thing isn't going anywhere, and most likely it would simply tip over and explode...

@John Creighton: Follow the link: delta v. I can see how it can be confusing. delta v stands for the change in velocity. Perhaps I should replace the word delta with the greek letter delta.......?

There can be some serious confusion between Δv and the rocket Delta V.maxie 28 January 2006 05:42 (EST)

Orion

I can't imagine anyone seriously considering this even at that long time range. External combustion using atomic weapons might be technically feasible, but it is a pretty crazy idea environmentally. Whether you believe the Earth will warm, cool, or stay the same over the next century, the notion of letting loose with a bunch of fall-out across all the layers of our atmosphere is generally unappealing. Anyone who wanted to build such a thing would probably get run out of town by a broad coalition. Aldiffer 29 May 2006 23:04 (PDT)