Re: RE: starship-design: Plasma Engine

[KellySt@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/30/98 12:14:56 PM, lparker@cacaphony.net wrote:

>Kelly,
>
>
>
>I don't recall seeing any power requirements mentioned anywhere, but a
>Lithium Lorentz Force drive requires as a minimum a 30 kW power source. Only
>Russian built space reactors currently supply this much, although there is a
>40 kW design being tested by NASA.
>
>There is mention of heating the plasma to power levels of up to 200 kW in
>pulses of several seconds, but no mention of how much power that would
>require.
>
>I saw mention of a new, more powerful klystron being tested, but don't
>remember the specifics.
>
>Lee

Yeah, the big factor is fuel consumption vrs thrust thing.  You want to get up
to speed, you'll need to bring a monster fuel tank.

Kelly