05-18-2013, 09:27 PM
Yes. Orion is one of those apparently crazy ideas that would probably work; setting off nuclear bombs for propulsion certainly sounds crazy.
I also think it worth mentioning that Orion being proceeded with would probably have set back microelectronics and various other sorts of miniaturisation by decades, due to less need for it.
One caution; be very careful about googling Orion. You'll probably get hundreds of hits for the multibillion-dollar boondoggle being presented by NASA under that name. Something like "nuclear pulse propulsion" might work better.
I also think it worth mentioning that Orion being proceeded with would probably have set back microelectronics and various other sorts of miniaturisation by decades, due to less need for it.
One caution; be very careful about googling Orion. You'll probably get hundreds of hits for the multibillion-dollar boondoggle being presented by NASA under that name. Something like "nuclear pulse propulsion" might work better.