Orion revisited

Abstract

Recent progress in the research on D-T inertially confined microexplosions encourages one to reconsider the nuclear propulsion of spaceships based on the concept originally proposed in the Orion-project. We discuss first the acceleration of a medium-sized spaceships by D-T explosions whose output is in the range of 0.1 ÷ 10 tons TNT. The launching of such a ship into an Earth orbit or beyond by a nuclear explosion in an underground cavity is sketched out in the second section of the paper and finally we consider a hypothetical Mars mission based on these concepts. In the conclusion it is argued that propulsion based on the Orion concept only is not the best method for interplanetary travel owing to the very large number of nuclear explosions required. A combination of a super gun and a subsequent rocket propulsion using advanced chemical fuels appears to be the best near term solution.