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Towlie

(5,557 posts)

4. I don't really know, it's currently nothing more than science fiction.

Reply to Loki Liesmith (Reply #3)

Mon Jan 11, 2021, 12:24 PM

Jan 2021

←

It's how the atmosphere-processing plant was powered in James Cameron's movie, Aliens.

But it does appear that a fusion reactor may produce less radiation but not eliminate it completely:

Wikipedia: Fusion Rocket

For space flight, the main advantage of fusion would be the very high specific impulse, and the main disadvantage the (likely) large mass of the reactor. However, a fusion rocket may produce less radiation than a fission rocket, reducing the mass needed for shielding.

All I'm really saying is that if the project succeeds the Trump crime family will claim credit, but if it fails it'll be the scientists' fault.

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Highlight:

New Policy Sets in Motion Nuclear Space Travel and Colonization [View all] Dial H For Hero Jan 2021 OP

Trying to legislate technology into existence with the goal of taking credit for it if it happens? Towlie Jan 2021 #1

How is a fusion reactor going to irradiate the atmosphere? Loki Liesmith Jan 2021 #3

I don't really know, it's currently nothing more than science fiction. Towlie Jan 2021 #4

I'll answer the question: it can't Loki Liesmith Jan 2021 #5

It's the inherent danger of launching the fusion products into orbit and having a launch failure... Hugin Jan 2021 #9

That's certainly an objection (an overblown one, IMHO) to launching fission products. But fusion? Dial H For Hero Jan 2021 #10

You've got to get the reaction started. Hugin Jan 2021 #11

While fusion bombs do indeed have fission triggers, as far as I know (and again, correct me if I'm Dial H For Hero Jan 2021 #13

I'm not sure where all of the Helium-3 is going to come from... Hugin Jan 2021 #14

Lunar mining, presumably. Dial H For Hero Jan 2021 #15

Mine the moon. Loki Liesmith Jan 2021 #16

See #17; the government policy is about fission, not fusion (nt) muriel_volestrangler Jan 2021 #18

But the article is almost entirely about fusion drives Loki Liesmith Jan 2021 #20

Yeah, the "article" is a press release from a company that thinks it can make a fusion reactor muriel_volestrangler Jan 2021 #21

Please don't promote this 'nuclear paranoia'. triron Jan 2021 #6

Please don't stand up your straw man and knock it back down. Towlie Jan 2021 #7

In fairness, you did bring up speculation of a fusion powered ship making the atmosphere radioactive Dial H For Hero Jan 2021 #8

No; the *government* policy includes fission reactors muriel_volestrangler Jan 2021 #17

Fair enough. Dial H For Hero Jan 2021 #19

Good Loki Liesmith Jan 2021 #2

It's the "safe and effective" part that should concern us... Wounded Bear Jan 2021 #12