Re:The Physics of Space War: How Orbital Dynamics Constrain ...
by DennisP on Thursday October 22, 2020 @10:19AM
(#24858287)
Here's one source that does: http://toughsf.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-expanses-epstein-dri...
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Re:The Physics of Space War: How Orbital Dynamics Constrain ...
by Symmetry on Thursday October 22, 2020 @02:06PM
(#24861143)
I think I was underestimating how much energy could be lost to x-rays on some of those. D2-He3, the aneutronic fusion everyone likes to talk about is still over 80% efficient but H1-B looks really bad if you're not driving a heat engine with it.
Re:The Physics of Space War: How Orbital Dynamics Constrain ...
by DennisP on Thursday October 22, 2020 @03:31PM
(#24862391)
Yes, though the H1-B reaction itself emits no electromagnetic radiation at all. The x-rays are from bremsstrahlung radiation. Some boron fusion projects think they have ways to avoid that (which is necessary to avoid the plasma cooling too fast to achieve net power).