nuclear pulse rocket

Orion-type nuclear pulse rocket

A rocket propelled by a rapid and lengthy series of small atomic or nuclear explosions. A variety of schemes have been proposed from the 1940s on. Project Orion was the lengthiest study – involving actual model test flights – of the nuclear pulse concept based on fission. Project Daedalus provided a counterpart based on fusion.

The nuclear pulse rocket is just one possible form of nuclear propulsion for spacecraft.

Related categories

• ADVANCED PROPULSION CONCEPTS
• ROCKET ENGINE TYPES

Also on this site:

Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History

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