Comments on: In NASA’s Dreams: Laser-Launched Rockets and Deep Space Cruisers

By: Lighthouse

Lighthouse — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 04:21:29 +0000

For what it is worth here are YouTube vids of a laser driving TPV cells, testing optics and a nuclear rocket test.. The power beaming system was built by a group of people that was underfunded and working weekends using off theshelf parts. The laser was designed for cutting sheet metal. This system could delivery 8000 watts with a range of 1000 meters or more while maintaining a beam size of less that an 8 inch diameter

Imagine if a system was funded, designed and built for the specific purpose of laser powered rocket !!! Basically this is a variation of the Nuclear NERVA rocket that was proven to have twice the specific impulse of the best chemical rockets. The concept replaces the onboard nuclear reactor with ground based lasers.

To watch YouTube videos search on:
- ” The climber ‘melt test’ as seen through the reflecting mirror ”
- ” Burning some boards ”
- “ ROVER NERVA Nuclear Rocket Engine test stand #2”
- ” Experimental Nuclear Thermal Rocket Engine “

By: X3TC ROCKS!

X3TC ROCKS! — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:47:29 +0000

hey look in the left upper corner! there is pic from CP game named X3 Terran conflict!
i can see argon buster undocking from free argon trading station.
WTF is this :DDDDD

By: Inspiro Assistant

Inspiro Assistant — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 06:41:11 +0000

This is awesome! It is worth funded, why not make it a space ship instead of craft? So not only 6 people could fit in. Even if its yet a dream , I look forward to it’s first mission.

By: Eddy

Eddy — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 04:24:23 +0000

Is that X3: TC?!

By: steinmentz1

steinmentz1 — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 07:35:01 +0000

Build these large explorer ships in space with landing and takeoff shuttles attached. Fuel can be made in space. Use sails and ion engines.

By: mike

mike — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 02:21:43 +0000

I love how the images still have correction suggestion lines under them.

By: Matt B.

Matt B. — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:49:46 +0000

That ship even looks cool. And it would be the first space ship too. Everything up to now has been a probe or a craft.

I would avoid the name “Nautilus” though; you might end up with no one (Nemo) captaining it. ;)

By: Eliza Strickland

Eliza Strickland — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:17:38 +0000

@s: Yep, that was a typo. Thanks for catching it!

– Eliza, DISCOVER online news editor

By: s

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:05:27 +0000

Editors: Spelling error….

“…rockets launched bia lasers and reusable…”

I think maybe “via”?

(please don’t think I’m being picky….just trying to help. :) )

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 02:44:00 +0000

Please fund this!

By: Brian Too

Brian Too — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:24:42 +0000

Cool!