Who could ask for a better crew than this. I am surrounded by geniouses!
Welcome aboard
the Prophesy, Janus. You are offered the role of our Nuclear Propulsion Engineer (unless you prefer a different title). Along with our resident Astrophysicist - JQ - I am sure we will have discovered the plausible limits of our propulsion system and fuel supply in no time. I am open to all suggestions for how our main engine and fuel tank should best be configured, and I will concede that the Prophesy is probably more of an RV than a Ferrari. So the lower extended thrust is probably appropriate. Although I will reserve the right to keep the potential of 1G accelleration for emergencies (at the cost of fuel economy).
So...
Suggestion: Our tank is filled with spent nuclear fuel that is a single step from being turned back into enriched uranium. This way the whole tank can be filled with the stuff, but in a fairly stable way. As the fuel is brought to the engine it is enriched in line before passing into the engine.
Question: Is that plausible? (By the way, one way we are financing this whole affair is by having the govenrment pay us to dispose of the nuclear waste that we are using as fuel)
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jay-qu
Resident Astrophysicist at you service
I would first need to know the presise composition of the fuel to do the calculations, sir.
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Consider the fuel to be the most energetic enriched uranium. What is the highest amount of energy that we can expect from a ml of that stuff, and what percentage of that energy can ce convert into motive power of the ship? The higher we can get these number the better off we are.
And in answer to your question Janus, The sections are straight. There will be a weird effect near the ends as the gravity will be a bit angular. But we will get used to it. I have them straight because a banana doesn't fly straight. These are assembled on the ground and lauched as completed units. It will add character to the experience.
Ever been to "the mystery spot"?
(t-27)
Bill
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aka
TheBigDog - Hypography Full Freaking Moderator
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The truth is incontravertible; malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end there it is. - Winston Churchill
TheBigDog's recommended reading:
The Science of Success - Charles G. Koch
A neutron goes into a bar and asks the bartender, "How much for a beer?"
The bartender replies, "For you, no charge."
