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Zarkathan t1_j22x2ml wrote

Entry and exit to/from earth would still need to be non-nuclear. Nuclear becomes ideal with deep space travel where you can accelerate slowly but constantly - an issue we would run into is the inability to communicate with the ship once reaching a certain distance. Space is largely empty but there is still interference and tech deteriorates over time. Communication gets solved once we figure out how to use quantum entanglement to communicate.

Two forms of nuclear propulsion I've heard of are literally releasing bombs on the back end and capturing that "wave" and, more realistically, directing radioactive emission off the back as thrust (extremely slow but consistent acceleration).

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rosTopicEchoChamber OP t1_j23w5rg wrote

I think eventually closed cycle nuclear propulsion would be used to exit from earth. A more advanced variation of nuclear thermal rocket with higher specific impulse and still having enough thrust would be more efficient, requiring less propellant than chemical rockets. Since its closed cycle the exhaust won't be radioactive waste.

The issue isn't with nuclear propulsion per say, but what happens if the launch sequence fail (wether its by chemical engine failure or otherwise) with a nuclear reactor (active or not).

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rendakun t1_j27iju5 wrote

> Communication gets solved once we figure out how to use quantum entanglement to communicate

You cannot send meaningful information through quantum entanglement. The fact that the particles interact FTL might as well be a technicality. It's fascinating for sure though

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Zarkathan t1_j27kiqx wrote

Why not? Don't entangled particles maintain opposite spin?

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