RE: Nuclear Space Prop.

[gerald.lahti@exeloncorp.com]

Ed (and all),
I worked at NASA's Lewis Research Center in Cleveland [now the John Glenn
Research Center] from 1963-1973.  There, in the Nuclear Systems Division, we
looked at many space nuclear power and propulsion schemes.  We had the
graphite core NERVA rockets,  the bigger Phoebus graphite core rockets [from
LASL], the open cycle gas core rocket [discharging an interesting stream of
fission products in its wake], and yes, best of all, the Orion scheme, a
putt-putt release of small nuclear devices exploded behind the space
vehicle's pusher-plate to send it on its way.

These were very exciting times!  But what is now interesting is that many of
these ideas are being rediscovered and being considered again.  But
thankfully the Orion propulsion scheme has not been revisited.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
Jerry Lahti
Exelon - Nuclear
1400 Opus Place, Suite 400
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone - 630.663.6659
Fax: -    630.663.7199
Email -  gerald.lahti@exeloncorp.com
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	RadSafeInst@cs.com [SMTP:RadSafeInst@cs.com]
> Sent:	Thursday, January 18, 2001 5:50 AM
> To:	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject:	Nuclear Space Prop.
> 
> Is anyone (else) on the list old enough to remember the "Orion" project?
> 
>                                          Ed Battle
> ************************************************************************
> The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
> information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html


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