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RE: More nuclear propulsion...



JPreisig@AOL.COM [mailto:JPreisig@AOL.COM]  wrote on Saturday February 08, 2003 1:21 AM 
 
A spacecraft (with nuclear propulsion) re-entering the Earth atmosphere
      and experiencing difficulties might (with some warning) be able to go back
      into space, and perhaps wait for a rescue shuttle. <SNIP>
 
This line of thought comes close to one concept which was advanced decades ago -- the PRFAC spacecraft, for "PRopulsive Fluid ACcumulator."
It was a nuclear propelled gizmo which flew in very low orbit -- just inside the upper reaches of the atmosphere, where a large conical intake was used to collect & condense the incident gas and stored in a large tank for refueling other spacecraft in higher orbit or at a space station.
Only a small fraction was expended in the nuclear propulsion system for counteracting the drag force which would normally slow it down & cause it to re-enter.
Just thought you might want to know....
Jaro