Re: starship-design: StarShip Design: Request and Questions

[Kelly St <KellySt@aol.com>]

In a message dated 12/11/97 8:30:43 AM, Gertchen1@aol.com wrote:

>In a message dated 97-12-10 10:33:57 EST, kuo@bit.csc.lsu.edu writes:
>
><< >> Like what?  The mission critical systems are:
> 
> >> 1. The deceleration rocket systems.  These have to last 2 decades
> >>    and there's little margin for spares.  However, after that
> >>    they are no longer mission critical.
> 
> >Current maximum operational lifetime: 50 hours continuous use, shelf life: 
> >none.
> 
> Huh?  We don't have _any_ current deceleration rocket system suitable
> for a .2c mission.  The rocket systems we do have aren't even remotely
> like what would be used for such a mission.
>  >>
>If a starship is constructed in space, then there should be a major decrease
>in the amount of fuel it requires. I am assuming that these ships would be
>taking off the ground. Depending on the mass, and length, the ship may break
>in two if the ship's rear boosters lifted it up. Some kind of front, middle
>and rear booster will be required to have it lift off the ground. However,
>this is a big waste. Why have these things, if they're that big, waste
>precious fuel on the ground when they can just stay in space? Transports, or
>planes can bring stuff back and forth into space, and dock with the vessel. I
>do not see why so much fuel must be wasted to boost one rocket if the ship
>could stay in space and not run out of oxygen. Perhaps, with a crew of fifty,
>and the ship being about a mile in length, an entire deck rich with oxygen
>giving plants and a routine filling of oxygen tanks would be sufficient.
Since
>I am writing a book, I am on the quest for starship designs, mostly warships.
>Any designs would be appreciated ^_^
>
>Thanks!
>Gertie


Boosting into space isn't really a problem.  You have to remember, getting
into orbit only means you need to accellerate to about 30,000 kilometers per
hour.  To boost between stars were taking about speeds of 100,000 to 130,000
kilometers per SECOND!  So the engines could handel it easily.

On the other hand the backwash from those engines (generally fusion motors)
would make WW-III look like a childs 4th of july sparkler!  Assuming you could
get around that, the ships just to big, and its not designed to work parked on
a planet.  So we have generall assumed it would work like an aircraft carrier.
It would stay away from the planets, and the shuttles comutte to and from the
planets and moons of interest.

Plants and alge are usable, but a more chemical/industrial process would be
more compact and relyable.  'Fraid were not looking into interstellar
warships.  But the Stuff in the LIT Starship design sites might interest you.

http://sunsite.unc.edu/lunar/sdhp.html

or 

http://www.urly-bird.com/LIT/

Kelly