Orion Nuclear Pulse Drive

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I am tormented by an everlasting itch for things unknown. I love to sail forbidden seas.

This article is part of the Endless Horizon Scope.

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Orion Nuclear Pulse Drive

Meta

Article Creator

NuclearSaltWater (December 27th 2019)

Scope

Scope:Endless Horizon

Author

NuclearSaltWater

History

Used By

Government use only

General

Propulsion

Nuclear explosions against pusher plate

Drive System

Nuclear pulse propulsion

Engine

Nuclear explosives

Range

Restricted to beyond 0.08 AU from planets

Overview

An Orion drive involves a device that fires a nuclear bomb from the back of the ship, then using a pusher plate to dampen the G-forces created in the blast. Due to regulations put in place for explosives in space, Orion drives are restricted for government use only, and they cannot be used in close proximity to a planet (0.08 AU). While Ion engine tech and chemical propulsion engines end up with either low Isp, high TWR or low TWR and high Isp, the Orion combines the best of both worlds, allowing for efficient travel through large, spacious systems where interstellar ships are overkill and other interplanetary ships inadequate.