Correct, yes I got that, but what was powering the space shuttle Challenger when it blew up? Chemical rockets? I`ve seen footage of many a rocket blowing up on launch, so what happens when one of these blows up during it`s chemical launch phase?
Nothing except that the reactor falls intact and unpowered into the ocean along with the shards of the carrier rocket. The weight of a fission drive capable of powering a manned ship ensures that you launch the reactor separately from the fuel bundles, which will be inserted in orbit. Then you will have to have several more launches to get the working fluid. whether it’s hydrogen or water and fill the tanks.
The old idea that NASA had of using a NERVA as the third stage of a Saturn 5 type rocket and launching directly from the ground with everything already loaded was not workable. It will take multiple launches. probably on the order of 10 to 15, to get everything in orbit.
Go to this site:
http://www.projectrho.com/public_html/rocket/engines.php
It is a gold mine on spaceship propulsion.