3 replies to this topic

[Pyridium]

Do you like space?  Do you like adventure?  Would you like to be listed in the credits in this novel?

After 18 years of research, I have started the chapter outlines and would like to use this thread to find lost pieces in this SCI-FI Thriller.

Here is the first question up for debate and consultation;

We need an engine that can get me to Mars in 6 days and parked over the Valles Marineris in a stationary orbit.
I have this small engine that is powered by nuclear fusion.  I imagine 4 separate lasers in a series of chambers that use hydrogen and helium3 as my fuel.  The controlled nuclear thrust will control the acceleration speed.  The lasers merge the hydrogen atoms with the helium3 atoms producing a very large reaction based on the amount of fuel in the ignition chamber.  Not quite cold fusionm, but close.

Oh, btw, if we fuse a mixture of hydrogen and helium, the entire engine would literally explode with just a few atoms.

Thoughts,

Edited by Pyridium, 30 March 2012 - 07:35 PM.

[The Lone Ranger]

Your idea seems worked out good.

Do fused atoms have to be used or emitted or can different elements usually be stored all together during fusion?

[Pyridium]

Thanks, Ranger.  The bi-product of the H + He3 = He.  The energy wave produced will show the helium element in its spectrum and travels at the speed of light.  If I use larger atoms, the fusion will leave stray protons and/or neutrons blown out with the energy wave.  These are large chuncks of matter and will destroy any atom in its way, including your engine housing.

Our first few atomic bombs were built with very heavy atoms of plutonium and uranium. yields were so, so.  The hydrogen bomb was huge and it only seperates the proton from the electron.  The most powerful bond in the universe, the hydrogen atom.  This is where all life evolves from.

[Taun]

I love well written, 'factual' sci-fi... And I would look forward to reading this after publication...

I'm sure you've taken the following items under consideration, but here they are anyway:

- Don't forget that the vehicle should be aimed - not at where Mars is - but where it will be in 6 days time... Mid course corrections would be ineffecient fuelwise and probably difficult...

- Don't forget 'the turnover point'... As you will have to decelerate in order to safely go into orbit in a 'geo'syncronous orbit...

- If you are on continuous boost, you will burn through a lot of fuel... You must either carry enough on board, or have a way to 'scoop up' what you need... Hydrogen is 'abundant' in space compared to He3...

- On board radiation shielding... Unless you're passengers don't mind travelling inside a microwave oven...

- Since the distance between Mars and the Earth varies from ~36 million miles to ~250 million miles, if you want to travel in 6 days, your ship will have to accelerate up to an average of from ~250,000 MPH (~400,000 kph) to ~1,736,000 MPH (~2,794,000 kph)... and then decelerate... This should take up considerable time...

Edited by Taun, 03 April 2012 - 04:39 PM.