sparks@corpane.UUCP (John Sparks) (03/29/89)
If this cold fusion process is for real, I was wondering what it would mean
for space craft? Is there anyway to convert such power into a motive force
for a space craft?
Basically, you get heat out from the reaction, correct? But you have to keep
the heat low enough not to melt the electrodes. How could this be converted
into a 'rocket'?
Using the 'old' method of thermonuclear fusion, you would have a far more
intense reaction that you could use for propulsion, if you could find a way
to contain the reaction. But with this new version of fusion (if it is for
real and efficient enough to be practical), you don't need sophisticated
containments such as magnetic bottles, just enough shielding from the
radiation. But the reaction basically generates heat, so the question is
how do you convert that [relatively small] heat energy into propulsion for a
space craft?
Could this revolutionalize the space industry?
--
John Sparks | {rutgers|uunet}!ukma!corpane!sparks | D.I.S.K. 24hrs 1200bps
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