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Re: <Two bits worth
>> Hummm. There is one way your decelerator idea could really have an edge.
>> Since the decelerator wouldn't need enough power to decelerate itself and
>> all of its fuel, just the light ship. It may have a much better power to
>> weight ratio! The ship wouldn't need to decelerate the deceleration fuel. A
>> microwave decelerator would be very compatable with kevins Microwave sail
>> system.
>
>I think this system is worth studying. IF both parts leave Sol by maser
>sail, and separate at the halfway point. with the decellerator keeping
>the maser sail (using it as an antenna converting the maser to elec) and
>blasting (new twist) fusion fuel right down the Explorer's throat, i
>think it might work.
I've thought several times about this solution. I think the problem is that
the thing cannot blast the stuff accurately enough to the mouth of the Asimov.
I always assumed the fly-away part needed some control from people and thus
those were doomed to die flying at near c velocities between the stars.
Tim