Quote:
Originally Posted by MagicHef
That looks awesome, but $5 million per contract tells me that they must not be very close.
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On the fission side, we could have nuclear thermal rockets in space right now. It's based on common-place reactor technology. The non-proliferation treaty and general angst about launching nuclear reactors to space has not allowed it up to now. But, there have been sufficient advances to make it reasonably safe to launch a reactor at this point.
On the fusion side--there is substantial development needed. But it should be noted that the proposed technology is a great deal easier than earth-based fusion reactors. To put it really simply, the propulsion technology takes a major problem on earth-based reactors and turns it into a benefit by blasting all the excess heat and energy out the back for propulsion.