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To: BenLurkin
Isn't that what used to be called "Ion Drive"?

Ion or plasma motors. The power supply could be solar. Of course, if the ion propulsion is stronger than butterfly wings, nuclear would do well. Interstellar would have to be nuclear.

18 posted on 08/09/2004 6:58:08 PM PDT by RightWhale (Withdraw from the 1967 UN Outer Space Treaty and establish property rights)
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To: RightWhale; Physicist
Interstellar would have to be nuclear.

I think a 0.1 G acceleration for a very long time (20 years or so) using an ion type engine would fare far better than nuclear for interstellar. However, for interplanetary, nuclear is the clear winner.

21 posted on 08/09/2004 8:19:20 PM PDT by RadioAstronomer
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