Project Orion...the space ship designs from the 50s/60s using controlled nuclear detonations to propel the ship through space at a pretty good clip, apparently...
As far as I know, it's the only legitimately "could be built today" option to travel within our own solar system ~easily~, but obviously the nuclear aspect was a PR problem back in the day. Still, they are supposedly viable. Earth to Mars in a couple of months, right?
What do you think? Are there some up there already, or are we incapable of making this a reality?
It's not that easy or practical. Huge investments involved. Heavy ship and expensive albeit high energy fuel. You still have to put it into orbit the conventional way, which means assembling or building it there, since the concept doesn't work on a small scale.
It sounds like a very dubious idea and there are better options now.
Adrian Bailey
Righr, definitely effort involved. But supposedly it's the only viable non-tin foil method with current tech. And they can be reused for a while it sounds like, multiple trips back and forth from wherever.
Grayson Anderson
Probably gonna be better to wait until next gen engines are truly ready, say fusion. Nuclear Propulsion really seems like a stopgap before you get the good stuff. That said, weren't there concepts to heat a fuel in a reactor, without literally pooping nuclear bombs? I can see nuclear propulsion as a suitable starter engine though, say you hollow out an asteroid somewhat, put the nuke in there, and a buffered shield over the opening, which propels the spacecraft, but ultimately isn't part of it, so it may be reusable. Like a nuclear cannon of sorts.
David Perry
there's no reason to use fissiles for ship propulsion. fusion is the way to fly around in space.
