- #1
johnfullerroot
- 8
- 0
I was thinking that a large scale ionocraft in theory could be built to reach space. An EHD (Electrohydrodynamics) thrusting device of this scale would need mammoth amounts of high voltage electricity that couldn't be practically fed via cables, however is there not a way to transmit the required power via radio or laser or some other medium that I havern't considered?
So far the main problems I can see are:
1) Generating enough power
2) The weight of the lifter
3) Perfecting the design to increase controllability
4) Finding a practicle means to transmit the power without cables
5) The altitude at which the thrust becomes insufficient to continue to accelerate the craft (hopefully the velocity by that time will be suffcient to reach orbit!?)
The principles and concept behind a lifter are very simple but I am not sure if it has been considered as a potential space propulsion.
Does anyone have any clever ideas how this could be achieved? Or if it is not possible, then an explanation as to why?
Thanks
So far the main problems I can see are:
1) Generating enough power
2) The weight of the lifter
3) Perfecting the design to increase controllability
4) Finding a practicle means to transmit the power without cables
5) The altitude at which the thrust becomes insufficient to continue to accelerate the craft (hopefully the velocity by that time will be suffcient to reach orbit!?)
The principles and concept behind a lifter are very simple but I am not sure if it has been considered as a potential space propulsion.
Does anyone have any clever ideas how this could be achieved? Or if it is not possible, then an explanation as to why?
Thanks