On Sep 25, 12:55*am, giveitawhirl2008
wrote:
On Sep 22, 3:28*pm, giveitawhirl2008
wrote:

I have 2 min on this computer, but:

Gamma Ray laser research can relate to the Million MPH Spacecraft

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Pumpin...+ray+laser-a04...

http://www.ucsusa.org/nuclear_weapon...ty/nuclear_wea...

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http://1mmph.yolasite.com/

I had to go too soon to say much about this, earlier. The idea of a
spacecraft that travels at an average speed of one million mph would
be a boon to solar system exploration. But sources I see propose you
need a specific impulse of a million seconds and that while this is
possible, it does not come from sources that might have been expected
to produce such thrust.

Solid. liguid and even geseous core, nuclear fission rockets aren't
expected to produce Specific Thrust (I'll use the term Isp) of more
than several thousand seconds. Even plasma-fusion rockets would get
only to 200,000 seconds according to sources. It begins to look like a
job for antimatter and/or induced gammray emission (IGE)/gamma ray
lasers.

http://www.hafniumisomer.org/cqeseg3.htm

Exhaust velocity of the particles leaving the exit nozzle is important
and if that velocity is the speed of light because the exhaust
particles are gamm rays, then a low ratio of fuel to payload weight is
available. Other antimatter schemes might be workable but the electron/
anti-electron (positron) annhilation produces said gamma rays.
Redirecting them to the rear of the craft is a problem; possibly
that's where the gamma ray laser comes in.

Note: gamma ray laser good for shielding system up front, also?
Obliteration of dust and micrometeorites that could otherwise cause
trouble to a million mph spacecraft.