Re:An Alfvenic reconnecting plasmoid thruster
by mabbo on Monday July 12, 2021 @09:50PM
(#27816957)
It's complex. 100N of thrust is really nothing. The Falcon 9's Merlin engine can produce 900,000N of thrust, for comparison.
But that specific impulse (Isp) is what's interesting. Isp is fuel efficiency, and for most trips in space fuel makes up most of your mass. A big improvement in Isp means a lot less mass to get where you're going.
Merlin has an Isp of 311s. These folks are talking about an Isp of 50,000s.
But that specific impulse (Isp) is what's interesting. Isp is fuel efficiency, and for most trips in space fuel makes up most of your mass. A big improvement in Isp means a lot less mass to get where you're going.
Merlin has an Isp of 311s. These folks are talking about an Isp of 50,000s.