Hi Gary and the guys

Pity about the program - not that I'm planning on building ICBMs or anything... I'd like to use aerocapture in some SF stories without it sounding totally absurd.

[GARY] Word is they want to use solar-ion. This is pretty stupid IMHO. They should be using VASIMIR with a nuclear reactor.

[ME] VASIMIR? But wouldn't that be rather big and clunky, especially when powered by a SNAP or TOPAZ? The SEPS with inflatable solar concentrators sounds easier... and kind of flimsy. BUT it won't have heat problems like a nuke-powered VASIMIR.

[GARY] Bad news: I use this technology for interplanetary exploration. Unfortunately most of the human race wants to use this technology (ballistic missiles and reentry vehicles) to kill babies and pregnant women. It's not available for public release.

[ME] Scariest thing about space tech is just how close it is to very nasty bombs...

Adam