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A review of interstellar rocketry fundamentalsTo reach even the nearest stars in a human lifetime requires a ship speed that is a substantial fraction of the speed of light. This means an enormous kinetic energy investment in the ship and suggests that maximizing the efficiency may be more important than minimizing the mass ratio. This paper develops the pertinent relativistic rocket equations and finds the conditions for high kinematic efficiency. Using the limiting efficiency of percent, the minimum energy needed for one-way and for round trip voyages, and to explore all 'good' suns out to a given distance, using prefueled rockets, is determined. Savings due to refueling the rocket (and reloading propellant) at the destination and in flight are both somewhat greater than 2:1.
Document ID
19900051925
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Oliver, B. M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: British Interplanetary Society, Journal
Volume: 43
ISSN: 0007-084X
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Accession Number
90A38980
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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