A theoretical space craft is under development that would be
able to achieve speeds up to around 10% of the speed of light.
Powered by plasma directed through a magnetic nozzle, the Mini-Mag Orion is proposed as a
method of exploring the solar system in relatively short time
frames. The system could be used to reach Jupiter with a 100 tonne
payload in a around a year.
The Advanced Nanotechnology blog has
examined the numbers required to achieve this and has concluded that
some areas are open to refinement. This includes the use of carbon
nanotubes in some components to reduce their weight to only 10% of the
original part.
Posted 31 August 2007
