Can a Nuclear Detonation be Channeled?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the feasibility of channeling a nuclear detonation for space flight propulsion, specifically through magnetically charged tubes to manage heat discharge. Participants highlight that the extreme pressures and temperatures from a nuclear explosion would likely exceed the tolerance of most materials, making the concept impractical. The mention of Project Orion illustrates that while nuclear propulsion has been explored, it does not involve channeling explosions in the proposed manner. Additionally, the idea of using magnetic fields to assist in this process is acknowledged, but concerns about the cooling requirements and overall efficiency are raised. Ultimately, the consensus leans towards the notion that current technology cannot achieve such a concept, despite its intriguing representation in science fiction.
STC4476
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I admit before even posting, that i have no formal qualifications at all regarding any form of Science.. I am just a person with a very keen interest in various fields and eager to learn the answers!

Im aware that this question might have been answered elsewhere, but my Question is Simple: Can a Nuclear Detonation be Channeled for the Purposes of Space flight Propulsion?

If i may expand on the idea i had in my head.. The idea was to "Channel" the detonation through a series of Magnetically charged tubes to "Vent" the Heat discharge (forgive the wrong terminology) via a thruster.
The thought i have, is that albeit it being temporary.. it would generate enough thrust to maneuver a decent sized ship.

If this would not stand, may i ask someone to explain to me why?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
STC4476 said:
If this would not stand, may i ask someone to explain to me why?
An explosion produces high pressures, and most structural materials cannot withstand the high pressures (forces/stresses) of a nuclear explosion at temperature.

Project Orion involves a nuclear explosion near a giant pusher plate, so it is not 'channeled'.
 
Last edited:
Im very aware of Project Orion, and very sad that the US government did not further the trials..

I remember reading somewhere on a Different Thread, that the Possibility of some kind of Magnetic field could possibly assist in the theory i have.
Im aware that the tubes would also require significant cooling as well, so to many the power required would be more than it's worth at the end result.
I just wondered if it would be Possible.

In the Sci - Fi Movie sense (Yes, Hollywood does have a way of oddly Inspiring dreams and very out - of - reach theories)
If people remember Star trek: First Contact, the person responsible for conceiving the Warp Drive - Zephram Cochrane. He Built his Ship out of a intact ICBM
and successfully achieved the dream through exactly this.

The "Warp Bubble" was a kind of Magnetic Umbrella (this is my Analogy of the theory)

I guess that it is very out of reach to obtain that kind of achievement so far with our Current technologies, But again just wondered if it could be Possible...
 
STC4476 said:
In the Sci - Fi Movie sense (Yes, Hollywood does have a way of oddly Inspiring dreams and very out - of - reach theories)
If people remember Star trek: First Contact, the person responsible for conceiving the Warp Drive - Zephram Cochrane. He Built his Ship out of a intact ICBM
and successfully achieved the dream through exactly this.

The "Warp Bubble" was a kind of Magnetic Umbrella (this is my Analogy of the theory)
We discuss mainstream science in the technical forums of the PF. We do not allow personal theories or speculation in our technical forums.
 
Hello everyone, I am currently working on a burnup calculation for a fuel assembly with repeated geometric structures using MCNP6. I have defined two materials (Material 1 and Material 2) which are actually the same material but located in different positions. However, after running the calculation with the BURN card, I am encountering an issue where all burnup information(power fraction(Initial input is 1,but output file is 0), burnup, mass, etc.) for Material 2 is zero, while Material 1...
Back
Top