Project "Orion" (8 pics + text)

Orion - a project piloted by reactive pulsed spacecraft ("vzryvolёt") for the study of interplanetary and interstellar space, developed in the US in 1950-60.





The motor ship "Orion" - a nuclear pulse, that is the basis of his work laid the use of energy of a nuclear explosion. Of the spacecraft in the opposite direction of flight, ejected a small nuclear charge (0, 1 kt TNT equivalent) and a short (10-100 m) away from the ship made its undermining. Part of the fission products, flying toward the ship is reflected from the traction plate, forming a jet stream. Blow compensated shock absorbers connecting the traction plate and the ship itself

"Orion" consisted of the following modules: propulsion module, propellant magazines and the payload section. These names can be translated as follows: propulsion, fuel tanks, the payload bay. Mover consisted of traction plates, shock absorbers and the main section containing about 900 nuclear warheads



Initially, "Orion" was supposed to start from the ground
Such a ship could deliver thousands of tons into orbit payload, hundreds of people. Moreover, it was possible to make a flight in comfort and not clamped tight wall of the cabin, as the first "Vostok" and "Mercury". Of course, such a ship to land on another planet would be very easy, but it was possible to apply for a special landing ship.
Subsequently, as mentioned, it was decided to run "Orion" with one or two rockets "Saturn 5" in order to avoid contamination of the atmosphere of radioactive waste.

The expedition to the Red Planet was to be held as follows. In orbit going ship "Orion" in two parts delivered "Saturn-5." After assembly is starting from the Earth's orbit and flight to Mars. The following is the output into orbit around Mars. Separated from the ship lander with extensive aerodynamic efficiency, and performs controlled entry into the atmosphere. Planting should be done with the help of rocket engines. The crew conducts research, and then takes off in a rocket stage.

Currently, the project "Orion" is closed and not only developed, but is not considered as a space vehicle. At the end of the 60s, many prominent scientists, in particular, Kraft Erica, believed that it was a nuclear pulse rocket (also ships with thermonuclear engines) must ensure the conquest of the solar system.











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