[ExI] fun memories of rocket stuff from a long time ago

[Adrian Tymes]

On Sun, Sep 28, 2025 at 10:40 PM <spike at rainier66.com> wrote:
> -----Original Message-----
> From: extropy-chat <extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org> On Behalf Of Adrian Tymes via extropy-chat
> On Sun, Sep 28, 2025 at 10:18 PM <spike at rainier66.com> wrote:
> > That spreadsheet works for nuclear rockets too.  If you have any motor data, I will see if I can find an old copy of that spreadsheet, or failing that I can put together a new one (I still remember how) or failing that we can use one of the many commercial products that do rocket calculations.
>
> If you want to put the nuclear rocket we're working on through your spreadsheet - I sent you a copy of the report, right?  If it's got the data you need, go ahead.
>
> If I didn't send it, remind me on Tuesday.  There may be something related happening then that'll make discussion easier.
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> Cool thx Adrian.  Let's let it cool until then: I have matters of importance going on Monday and Wednesday next week and I am getting ready for a short camping trip the week after that, so no hurries.  I think I have a copy of that software in my archives.

It's now Tuesday.  The last of the export control barriers has been
resolved, so we have finally published our report:
http://cubecab.com/white_papers/A_Path_Toward_Nuclear_Thermal_Spaceplanes.pdf

This is not a final design by any means.  With the radiation
shielding, the thrust-to-weight only comes to about 3; we'd like to
get it to at least 3.5, preferably 4, for reasons noted in the
Spaceplane section.  (I think I know how to do this, if we can get
funding for further development.)  But is this enough data to model
this version in your spreadsheet?