[ExI] one way ticket to mars

[Eugen Leitl]

On Tue, Apr 23, 2013 at 06:07:17PM +0100, BillK wrote:
> On Tue, Apr 23, 2013 at 5:45 PM, Eugen Leitl wrote:
> 
> > There are some data on nuclear VASIMR
> > http://web.mit.edu/mars/Conference_Archives/MarsWeek04_April/Speaker_Documents/VASIMREngine-TimGlover.pdf
> >
> 
> That nuclear design was 2004 and we are still no nearer getting a
> nuclear power engine in space to generate enough electricity for a big

So don't use a reactor, use these 2 kg/kW PV panels.

This isn't batty moonbeams country like
http://nextbigfuture.com/2011/07/high-energy-density-nuclear-power-for.html

> VASIMR engine.  Without that, even adastrarocket company themselves
> only claim that the VX-200 will reduce fuel costs on a trip to Mars.
> i.e. It won't be quicker, just a bit cheaper.