Reply To: reference to electric field propulsion?

[dennisp]

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.