Using Fusion To Propel an Interstellar Probe

astroengine writes "We've heard of nuclear pulse propulsion being the ideal way to travel through interstellar space, but what would such a system look like? In the 1970's, the British Interstellar Society's (BIS) Project Daedalus was conceived to fire pellets of fusion fuel out the rear of an interstellar space probe that were ignited using a powerful laser system. The 'pulsed inertial confinement fusion' wouldn't be 'vastly different from a conventional internal combustion engine, where small droplets of gasoline are injected into a combustion chamber and ignited,' says Richard Obousy, Project Leader and Co-Founder of Project Icarus. Now, building on the knowledge of Daedalus, the researchers of Project Icarus have prepared a nifty animation of a fusion pulse propulsion system in operation on the original Daedalus vehicle."

Comments

Re:Never going to happen.

[Required Snark]

Move to Fukushima. Now. Since you seem to believe that any fear of radiation is, to use your phrase, "Nukular" hysteria.

Put your money where your mouth is. You could buy a place really cheep, because a lot of people are going to be moving out.

Or just go for a visit. I suggest you camp outside, as close to the 20 km nuclear plant exclusion zone as you can get. Take a swim in the ocean. Spend a lot of time outdoors. Drink water from streams or rain water. Eat local produce and fish. Since they can't sell this stuff, they might give it to you for free.

You could also relocate to Chernobyl. There are a few hundred stubborn/stupid people who are staying there. I think you would fit right in.

Post a reply that you want to go and I'll start raising funds for you trip. I would guess that a lot of people would pitch in a few bucks. It would be an inexpensive way for the rest of us to have some fun. If you don't accept the offer, you are a blowhard and hypocrite. If you do go you will increase your chances of dying, and the average intelligence of the human race will increase. It's a win/win.