Jim figures the old thorium alloy column and partical accelerator punch line is a rocket.

To prove the point Jim requires a column of thorium alloy and a particle accelerator (or three). Jim places the metal column on the ground and arranges his particle accelerators in a circle around it, standing stone style.

Jim fires up the particle accelerators and up goes the column. Jim adjusts the intensity of each accelerator as required.

...
-- madness, Jan 10 2011

Jim might want to note first that the biggest operational component of a particle accelerator is a vacuum.
-- FlyingToaster, Jan 10 2011


Jim obligingly trundles out his Dust Devil.
-- bungston, Jan 10 2011


Jim better check the mechanical properties of thorium; building the structural columns of his rocket out of the stuff may not be the best idea...
-- neutrinos_shadow, Jan 10 2011


Nuclear rockets have been proposed. Have a critical geometry of fuel rods like in a boiling water reactor. Heat water to make steam and shoot it out one side of the rocket. a small volume of water turns into a large volume of steam while keeping the fuel cool.

no one wants something "explosive and nuclear" flying above their heads
-- metarinka, Jul 23 2011


[metarinka] and [FlyingToaster] where does it say this is for use on earth? Both objections are answered by building it on the moon. It's a rather loony idea.
-- mouseposture, Jul 23 2011


MaxwellBuchanan has no idea what Jim is talking about.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Jul 23 2011


15 years later, Jim dies of cancer.
-- Alterother, Jul 23 2011


Come one guys, it's not like this is rocket science...

Wait a minute...

There is not a possible nuclear propulsion scheme that has not been explored. That includes direct fusion and fission torches. The next one that works will be the first, and this is not it.
-- MechE, Jul 25 2011



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