Poll your ideas for a spacecraft

[Sorpenderin]

i was wondering what your ideas for an interplanatary or intersteller spacecraft are. my ideas are to have a fusion ramjet up front along with some cargo. then have an asteroid deflecting shield about 200 feet from the ramjet. 1000 feet from that is the living area wich includes 2 wheels and ball shaped free fall centers and behind that the cryo sections with landers. i think i will add a pod bay beond that. do you have any ideas for spacecraft?

 

[TMac3000]

Are you aware of the theoretical pros and cons of a ramjet design?
Pros:
It is very fast--relativistically fast, which I assume is why you chose it
No need to carry fuel, as you just use what is already there
Cons:
It is an engineering challenge that makes SSTO look like chewing bubblegum: the hydrogen in space is very, very diffuse. You need a scoop the size of a small city to reach relativistic velocity.
Time dialation--it's not simulated in Orbiter yet, but in real life we would all be a zillion years old when you get back.

I suggest straight fusion power instead. It's somewhat less theoretical, if not quite as fast--think 80% c instead of 99.99%

 

[Sorpenderin]

Are you aware of the theoretical pros and cons of a ramjet design?
Pros:
It is very fast--relativistically fast, which I assume is why you chose it
No need to carry fuel, as you just use what is already there
Cons:
It is an engineering challenge that makes SSTO look like chewing bubblegum: the hydrogen in space is very, very diffuse. You need a scoop the size of a small city to reach relativistic velocity.
Time dialation--it's not simulated in Orbiter yet, but in real life we would all be a zillion years old when you get back.

I suggest straight fusion power instead. It's somewhat less theoretical, if not quite as fast--think 80% c instead of 99.99%

i think ill stick to a fusion ramjet because if i ever make this for orbiter it will be very new,even when there is already a fusion ramjet