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If you wanted to ground-launch an Orion, probably the best approach would be to launch from water. The Orion would be supported a few dozen meters above the waters surface by a number (minimum three, likely six) of pylons that support the outer rim of the pusher plate. A small nuclear device would be set off from just above the surface of the water, centered between the pylons. Milliseconds before detonation, extremely high water flow would be pumped through the pylons and emitted from them at many points, turning each into a "water bird." The water would shield the pylons from the worst of the flash.

If need be, the pylons might be slathered over with some sort of ablative between each launch.

The water could be anywhere from a few dozen meters deep to kilometers deep. It would of course be easier to build the strucutre firmly if it was located just offshore in shallow water; but another approach might be to have the whole structure be a massive barge designed to largely submerge just before launch. After sheddign the weight of the Orion, it would easily bob back up to the surface.

<blockquote data-quote="Orionblamblam" data-source="post: 356627" data-attributes="member: 90">If you wanted to ground-launch an Orion, probably the best approach would be to launch from water. The Orion would be supported a few dozen meters above the waters surface by a number (minimum three, likely six) of pylons that support the outer rim of the pusher plate. A small nuclear device would be set off from just above the surface of the water, centered between the pylons. Milliseconds before detonation, extremely high water flow would be pumped through the pylons and emitted from them at many points, turning each into a &quot;water bird.&quot; The water would shield the pylons from the worst of the flash.If need be, the pylons might be slathered over with some sort of ablative between each launch.The water could be anywhere from a few dozen meters deep to kilometers deep. It would of course be easier to build the strucutre firmly if it was located just offshore in shallow water; but another approach might be to have the whole structure be a massive barge designed to largely submerge just before launch. After sheddign the weight of the Orion, it would easily bob back up to the surface.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Orionblamblam, post: 356627, member: 90"] If you wanted to ground-launch an Orion, probably the best approach would be to launch from water. The Orion would be supported a few dozen meters above the waters surface by a number (minimum three, likely six) of pylons that support the outer rim of the pusher plate. A small nuclear device would be set off from just above the surface of the water, centered between the pylons. Milliseconds before detonation, extremely high water flow would be pumped through the pylons and emitted from them at many points, turning each into a "water bird." The water would shield the pylons from the worst of the flash. If need be, the pylons might be slathered over with some sort of ablative between each launch. The water could be anywhere from a few dozen meters deep to kilometers deep. It would of course be easier to build the strucutre firmly if it was located just offshore in shallow water; but another approach might be to have the whole structure be a massive barge designed to largely submerge just before launch. After sheddign the weight of the Orion, it would easily bob back up to the surface. [/QUOTE]

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