Military Orions (nuclear pulse propulsion)

[RanulfC]

That's what "manhole" covers are for (thunderwells).

Actually not to far off, the Nuclear Verne gun uses a deep shaft, a nuke, and water to generate enough push to toss the payload to escape velocity. Proper design means the 'plug' doesn't leave the shaft which also contains the radioactive debris.

Randy

 

[Scott Kenny]

Actually not to far off, the Nuclear Verne gun uses a deep shaft, a nuke, and water to generate enough push to toss the payload to escape velocity. Proper design means the 'plug' doesn't leave the shaft which also contains the radioactive debris.

Randy

Considering that the manhole cover was over 1000ft from the detonation point and still either broke the welds or the metal, I'm not sure there's any practical means of making a Verne gun. Would a 5000ft deep bore hole be far enough away to not launch the plug into orbit?

 

[RanulfC]

Considering that the manhole cover was over 1000ft from the detonation point and still either broke the welds or the metal, I'm not sure there's any practical means of making a Verne gun. Would a 5000ft deep bore hole be far enough away to not launch the plug into orbit?

The design of whole underground test site was flawed with the blast hitting the manhole cover wasn't supposed to happen. The Verne Gun sabot is designed to retain the debris and radiation.

Randy