Reply To: reference to electric field propulsion?

[Aeronaut]

dennisp wrote: Why thank you 🙂 …Didn’t realize that was how it started, but I did know that people were well aware of the rocketry application. Just haven’t found the specs anywhere. How fast can we get to Mars, what’s the highest speed we could get to, what would be the launch cost per pound…I’m guessing it would be in the same range as polywell designs, with cheaper hardware. (Polywell rocket specs here: http://nextbigfuture.com/2007/11/fusion-propulsion-if-bussard-iec-fusion.html) Then again, cost per watt is way cheaper with focus fusion, maybe launch costs would be somewhat cheaper as well.

I saw a design the other day for an implosion-based fusion rocket that could hit 20% lightspeed with two stages. Exhaust velocity is 6.3% lightspeed, about twice the Daedalus design. Here is is: http://nextbigfuture.com/2009/10/winterberg-fusion-rocket-could-go-20-of.html

So, just wondering how focus fusion compares to all this.

Glad to help, Dennis. Look up Jolly Roger’s threads for the details and alternatives.

The best way to bring launch cost down is to separate the payload at the end of a 69,000 mile space elevator tether to eliminate the chemical rockets while maximizing initial velocity. Our cousins at PolyWell are always going to have to have to drag the extra mass and energy overhead of their electromagnets with them, so there really is no direct comparison.

From what I’ve seen over there, their Navy funding is getting in the way of transparency and possibly results. Far as I know, I’m betting on FF to deliver on fusion’s long overdue promise the firstest, with the mostest. :coolsmile: