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User: iclaudiuv

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  1. Re:How fast? on Plasma Propulsion Could Cut Time To Mars in Half · · Score: 1

    Maximum speed depends on one variable: distance.

    Since the human body cannot take more then 10 Gs then assume an acceleration of 10g all the way to the half point, then the real maximum speed should be a little lower then that. A very simple calculation. All other variables (such as variable mass, fuel, special relativity as we approach c-speed of light, etc. are much more difficult to account for, but they don't matter).

    Actual speed depends on the distance and the variable mass (as someone astutely noticed), since we know the time frame: 3 months. To maximize speed, the roket could be accelerated past half point, then deccelerated quicker due to its lighter mass. Tough problem for us sideliners since we have no idea how the curve profile for the decreasing mass looks like.

    So in conclusion, the only thing I brought to the table is the max gs a human body could take: 10. Of course, we can design apparatus that can simulate lower gravity, but then we complicate the problem with oscilatory acceleration, blab blab blab.. you get my point.