Space Expoloration COULD be Easy

[The Old Medic]

In 1947, Robert A. Heinlein published a novel called, "Rocket Ship Gallileo". In that book, he essentially described an Ion Drive, which would allow fantastic speeds in space.

It would start out very slow, but could easily double its speed every time period (depending on the strength, the time interval would be shorter or longer). But, even at doubling every hour, it would reach amazing speeds in a matter of a few days.

The technology is there, and has been available for many years. BUT, they won't use it, because it involves "atomics".

Hopefully, someday the Chinese will continue what should have been an American field. It's a damn shame that we voluntarily abandoned our role in space and space exploration. While robots are very, very good, there is simply no substitute for "boots on the ground".

 

[B00Mer]

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Plasma engine passes initial test

You'll have to give me more time Captain..

 

[Tonington]

The technology is there, and has been available for many years. BUT, they won't use it, because it involves "atomics".

Who is they? There are satellites orbitting Earth that use ion thrust, with more planned missions using ion thrust. NASA uses it:
NASA - Ion Propulsion

Hopefully, someday the Chinese will continue what should have been an American field. It's a damn shame that we voluntarily abandoned our role in space and space exploration.

:roll:

 

[WLDB]

Indeed. Ion propulsion has been used for about 15 years now.

 

[The Old Medic]

NASA will not use Ion Drive on any manned vehicles. They outlawed it, as has the European Space Agency, for anything even remotely connected to manned spaceflight.

Electric propulsion is a VERY limited form of Ion Propulsion. It offers a very limited range, and speeds, compared to nuclear propulsion.

NASA likes to promote the concept that those science fiction propulsion methods are here, but in reality, they are not. While the principles were set for in fiction, the engineering and scientific concepts utilized in those stories were very serious science.

There is absolutely no reason that spacecraft that very closely approach the speed of light could not be sent out on Ion Drive. Speeds well in excess of 250,000 per hour would be very easily attainable. with todays technology.

 

[Bar Sinister]

Has ion drive been abandoned or is it just the fact that there is no use for it at present? I read Heinlein's book years ago, but if I remember correctly ion drive was used for interstellar travel. Since we haven't even accomplished interplanetary travel yet there is probably no practical use for it.