Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to Here's a question for you scramjet-set types.

Nuclear ramjets

Arthur C. Clarke speculated about "oxidizer-fuel" jets flying in the methane atmosphere of Titan (Actually, Titan's atmosphere is mostly nitrogen with only 3% methane).

A more fun idea IMHO is a nuclear powered ramjet. They proposed nuclear powered ramjets back in the 1950s. A nuclear powered ramjet could theoretically fly for years without landing or refueling. The thing would be the ultimate weapon. It'd be programmed to fly low over a target city and raster scan it into destruction with its shockwave. The concept was a no starter because the ramjet's wake would be radioactive. However a nuclear powered ramjet would be cool thing to fly around on Jupiter or Venus.

Gary

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