[copycat]

This exploding nuclear propulsion idea sounds a little like some of the early flying attempts using bicycle pedals and flapping wings to me. IOW, nutty.

Has anyone explored the possiblility of using power form a nuclear core to generate some sort of magnetic field propulsion?

The key to feasible space travel is a NOT CARRYING FUEL. The amount of conventional rocket fuel, and even the amount of nuclear detonations that would be required seems to be prohibitive.

It seems to me any future space proplusion must not be of the type you burn as you go, but must be a sustainable power source.

[Frank_Discussion]

It seems to me any future space proplusion must not be of the type you burn as you go, but must be a sustainable power source.

OR, in the case of what O'Keefe is talking about, plasma propulsion. This type of technology uses electrical power to accelerate a plasma to very high speeds to create thrust. The plasma comes from a bank of fuel, like hydrogen. It doesn't "burn" the fuel, per se, but adds momentum directly, which is much more efficient than chemical systems. Thrust/power is dependent almost exclusively on the amount of electrical energy you have available, not on the fuel itself.

This is different from ion drives that eject ions from a grid plate material, which erodes and also limits the amount of electrical energy can be introduced into the system.

Someday, we will not need fuel. Until then, however, plasma drives will be the next breakthrough, IMO.