RE: starship-design: Plasma power

["L. Parker" <lparker@cacaphony.net>]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1


> That is not the problem -- antimatter is hard to come by.
> I have not seen any do it your self anti-proton kits at the local
> Radio Shack. :) Fusion kits are scarce too.

Which is one of the reasons that using it as a catalyst only is so
attractive. It is not a one to one conversion of matter and
antimatter. Nevertheless, at today's production rates, it will be
years before any sort of antimatter engine, catalyzed or not is
practical.

> This engine still requires a energy source for propulsion.
> Solar energy or beamed microwaves is required. Speaking of
> microwaves here is a great light source for non earth habitats.
> http://www.sulfurlamp.com/tech.htm

True, it does require an onboard reactor or some other large energy
source. The test beds running in the lab are huge, heavy, and running
off of the local power grid. Anybody got a long extension cord?

Lee
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: PGP for Personal Privacy 5.5.5

iQA/AwUBOVYWpURr4uG2f+/WEQKCNACfelDdgSnlRZhhxze9vdfwnTeyViYAoIre
GNSNn9BndgrI27Dno8zyWB8R
=74vN
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----