#bimodalnuclearrocket — Public Fediverse posts
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RE: https://mastodon.social/@ieeespectrum/117248399790365045
The efficiency of a rocket engine is measured by how long it can exert a thrust equal to the initial weight of its propellant, known as specific impulse. The most efficient #chemical rockets today produce a specific impulse that tops out around 450 seconds. A #nuclear rocket has a specific impulse of 900 seconds or more. With #electric thrusters, specific impulses in the range of 2,200 to 4,600 seconds are possible, but currently with very low thrust.