Re: Explorer Power Gain Problem

[T.L.G.vanderLinden@student.utwente.nl (Timothy van der Linden)]

>> The formula is right, but the number is only valid when the velocity of the
>> starship is 5 m/s. The problem with the document is that the meaning of the
>> number is not told.
>
>Now I remember.  I calculated the power the drive system would need for a one
>second boost, and assumed it would be constant for the flight.  I.E. if
>it takes X watts to push the ship at a ship G for a secound.  Multiply that
>by the number of seconds of boost to get to desired speed, and ....
>
>Given that the engine should need to output the same power, to accelerate the
>same mass, at the same rate, at diferent speeds.  It seems like it should
>work.

Ah that makes some sence, you indeed can use this trick to calculate the
power needed for a self-fueled ship. But keep in mind that the mass of the
ship may decrease significantly due to the "burning" of the fuel.

Timothy