http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/12/04/flight-to-the-stars-on-sun-power/ Yesterday's tomorrow, today. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:01:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/12/04/flight-to-the-stars-on-sun-power/#comment-863519 jayessell Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:38:19 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/12/04/flight-to-the-stars-on-sun-power/#comment-863519 Pretty good for pre-Sputnik. Mars landing craft were not mentioned. It was just a flybly? The article didn't properly differentiate between 'fuel' and 'reaction mass'. Many tons of reaction mass would be required. Could some of the Solar Power Plants be jettissoned as fuel is used up on the return trip? Left in orbit around Mars? (But the amount of power to eject the mass remains constant. But the ship is lighter. Discuss.) Pretty good for pre-Sputnik.
Mars landing craft were not mentioned. It was just a flybly?
The article didn’t properly differentiate between ‘fuel’ and ‘reaction mass’.
Many tons of reaction mass would be required.
Could some of the Solar Power Plants be jettissoned as fuel is used up on the return trip? Left in orbit around Mars?
(But the amount of power to eject the mass remains constant. But the ship is lighter. Discuss.)

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