Nuclear Powered Space Shuttles

Started by Colossus-Big C2 pages
Colossus-Big C Restricted

Nuclear Powered Space Shuttles

Why use gas powered ones when nuclear powered ones can last forever?? And make far longer trips?

-kV- [:::::{============)

Do we even have the resources and ingenuity to accomplish that today? How do we transform enough nuclear energy into kinetic such that there's enough thrust to escape Earth's gravity? A lot of reaction mass would be needed.

Colossus-Big C Restricted

So we dont have the technology to transfer nuclear energy to create thrust?

Doesnt a nuclear explosion creates thrust and kinetic energy?

Tzeentch._ #gottem

We don't have nuclear-powered shuttles because their is no need for a nuclear-powered shuttle.

Generally, new things are built because we have a need for them.

BlackZero30x Jack

......causing a nuclear explosion in order to give a space shuttle thrust may prove to be quite devastating.

Colossus-Big C Restricted

Originally posted by BlackZero30x
......causing a nuclear explosion in order to give a space shuttle thrust may prove to be quite devastating.
How so?

BlackZero30x Jack

What would contain this explosion during thrust so it doesn't have the damaging effect of...well a nuclear explosion?

Colossus-Big C Restricted

Originally posted by BlackZero30x
What would contain this explosion during thrust so it doesn't have the damaging effect of...well a nuclear explosion?
I thought they could minimize it by only using a very small amout.

But nevermind it wouldnt work

Colossus-Big C Restricted

What will happen once we discover a thin piece of material capable of blaoking/absorbing radiaton?

Wwould they put them in cars, airplanes etc?

Symmetric Chaos Fractal King
Originally posted by Colossus-Big C
What will happen once we discover a thin piece of material capable of blaoking/absorbing radiaton?

Like every piece of solid matter in the universe you mean? Or (if you're referring only to ionizing radiation) like lead?

Mindset Senior Member

Originally posted by BlackZero30x
What would contain this explosion during thrust so it doesn't have the damaging effect of...well a nuclear explosion?
Science.

Colossus-Big C Restricted

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
Like every piece of solid matter in the universe you mean? Or (if you're referring only to ionizing radiation) like lead?
all radiation, alpha beta etc

Lord Lucien Lets all love Lain

You can block alpha radiation with a sheet of paper.

Colossus-Big C Restricted

Originally posted by Lord Lucien
You can block alpha radiation with a sheet of paper.
so why cant cars be nuclear powered again?

Mindset Senior Member

Originally posted by Colossus-Big C
so why cant cars be nuclear powered again?
They can be.

Lord Lucien Lets all love Lain

Originally posted by Colossus-Big C
so why cant cars be nuclear powered again?
Nuclear fission isn't the same as nuclear fusion. It's not about the radiation-- nuclear fusion tends to be kinda hot and explosive. It's why cold fusion would be the Holy Grail of energy.

S_W_LeGenD Senior Member

Re: Nuclear Powered Space Shuttles

Originally posted by Colossus-Big C
Why use gas powered ones when nuclear powered ones can last forever?? And make far longer trips?

Here is an interesting article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucedorminey/2012/04/02/time-for-nasa-to-go-nuclear/

NTR technology may also make manned Mars mission possible.

Symmetric Chaos Fractal King

NTRs have a ridiculously lower thrust-to-weight ratio than chemical rockets we currently use.

Omega Vision Face Flowed Into Her Eyes

Re: Nuclear Powered Space Shuttles

Originally posted by Colossus-Big C
Why use gas powered ones when nuclear powered ones can last forever?? And make far longer trips?
Space shuttles have never been gas powered, if by gas you mean gasoline.

Rockets and shuttles in the past have been powered by liquid hydrogen.

As I recall, there was some interest in nuclear powered spacecraft during the Cold War, and I want to say that there has been at least one nuclear powered space probe. Realistically though, the only expedition that may be launched in the foreseeable future that might require nuclear power would be a manned mission to Mars.

Yurika Restricted

Dangerous experiment, but this may be realized in future. Who knows