Orion drive ships

[vegascat]

Does anyone have a design for an Orion drive ship?

Some of the basics I have figured out so far;
The pusher plate must be armored to at least 22 to survive unlimited close proximity nuclear blasts.
Generators placed in the pusher plate shock absorbers will be great for power generation.
The bomb gun will make a servicable weapon, fire two bomb pellets, igniting the second to propel the first at the target directly behind the ship.
A heavier ship should allow for a higher thrust by firing more bomb pellets closer together.

 

[The Oz]

Originally posted by vegascat:
Does anyone have a design for an Orion drive ship?

FF&S did mention an "Daedalus thermonuclear pulse drive" for starships, but I don't know if anyone ever used it in a design. It's not quite a classic Orion-type drive, but it's not far off.

 

[mike wightman]

I don't think you'd need an AR of 22 in T20.
Looking at the damage a nuclear missile causes then an AR of 11-12 will stop it all.

 

[glennhiggins]

It's not in the Traveller universe but the web site "Weird World of Winchell Chung" has an extensive section on atomic rockets, with formulae and specs that could be used to develop game stats.

http://www.projectrho.com/

links to the site

 

[obsidian]

GURPS vehicles has some info on "nuclear pulse engines"

 

[savage]

Impressive site Glen. I also like the JPL-based site which is referenced and I've seen before:
http://www.islandone.org/APC/index.html

Sigg,
Might want to have the armour higher than that. The hull needs to be specifically designed for multiple, intended, close-proximity nuclear detonations not just battle damage.

Savage

 

[mike wightman]

Vegascat, I don't know if this is any use but have a look at this link . It is about the Daedalus.
If anyone is interested, if you click on home on the link above it takes you to a menu screen with access to a TTA site.

 

[mike wightman]

Found another one , if you're still interested

 

[Theophilus]

Daedelus uses a pulse engine, fuel pellets are energized to detonate by laser or Paws. pellets may be contained inside the ship and the explosive force is expelled.

Orion used small/compact nuclear bombs, detonated close to the ship. In atmosphere explosive pulse wave provides thrust, in space thermal pulse accelerates ship.

Similar concepts, different sources of explosive power.