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To: NicknamedBob

Indeed.

I've always thought the ramscoop concept to be very elegant and intriguing.


1,110 posted on 01/06/2007 8:44:56 PM PST by Professional Engineer (Why bifocals? Font inflation. Today's 14 point is the same as 2 point was in 1957.)
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To: Professional Engineer

Niven used it in his Ringworld series. The rotational speed of the Ringworld was the launch speed for a ramscoop vessel.

I like the idea of finding your fuel in space. It solves many problems.

It doesn't get you faster than light, but you have to start somwhere.

Lightsails may be more likely. Especially if we change to a design based on sending laser energy from very near the sun.

Inherent in that design is the concept of slowing your speed at the end of your journey with something akin to a parachute. At least somewhere, you can slow down.

My preference at the moment is ionic drive. With the ions accelerated to within a gnat's whisker of the speed of light, you'd get "more bang for the buck." Still takes a lot of reaction fuel.


1,113 posted on 01/06/2007 8:56:15 PM PST by NicknamedBob (My tuner doesn't have good taste the way it used to!)
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