[LMB] Wood, etc.

[James Nicoll]

On Fri, 1 Jun 2007, Martin Gill wrote:

> On 01/06/07, James Nicoll <jdnicoll at panix.com> wrote:
>>
> I'm not sure it's actually mentioned anywhere. I wonder if someone has
> some texev.
>
>>         Even with rockets, some designs place the cargo/crew section
>> behind the rocket on a very long cable. MEDUSA (a more advanced version of
>> ORION) is like that.
>
> Don't get the reference. I don't think I'd ever be the fan of a system
> like that. In effect your umbilical and life-line is constantly being
> fried by your engines. Unless you have the lines our on long arms,
> which just creates an unnecessary weak spot. I really cannot think
> what possible advantage you could gain from having the engines in
> front and blasting back at you.
>
 	Orion was a proposed rocket that fired little atom bombs out the 
back (using a feeder device derived from a pop-machine - specifically coke 
machines, I think) where they would explode and propel the craft:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Orion_%28nuclear_propulsion%29

 	MEDUSA is a more advanced reworking of the idea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_pulse_propulsion#Medusa