How fast would a nuclear powered spacecraft go?

A solid-core nuclear-thermal rocket will have a maximum Ve of about 8 km/s (5 miles per second). The rocket equation also says that higher values of ∆V are possible when the fuel comprises a larger fraction of the rocket’s total initial weight.

How fast can we make a spacecraft go?

450,000 mph
The fastest ever spacecraft, the now- in-space Parker Solar Probe will reach a top speed of 450,000 mph. It would take just 20 seconds to go from Los Angeles to New York City at that speed, but it would take the solar probe about 6,633 years to reach Earth’s nearest neighboring solar system.

How fast can spacecraft powered by ion propulsion engines travel?

Spacecraft powered by these thrusters can reach speeds up to 90,000 meters per second (over 200,000 mph). In comparison, the Space Shuttles can reach speeds around 18,000 mph. The trade-off for the high top speeds of ion thrusters is low thrust (or low acceleration).

What is a nuclear powered spacecraft?

“Nuclear electric propulsion systems accelerate spacecraft for extended periods and can propel a Mars mission for a fraction of the propellant of high-thrust systems.” With nuclear thermal propulsion, reactors heat up propellants like hydrogen and then the gas from that reaction is ejected, creating thrust.

How fast is a plasma rocket?

34 miles
Plasma rockets accelerate gradually and can reach a maximum speed of 34 miles (55 kilometers) per second over 23 days, which is four times faster than any chemical rocket [source: Verhovek].

How do spaceships fly faster than light?

Unlike objects within space–time, space–time itself can bend, expand or warp at any speed. Therefore, a spacecraft contained in a hyperfast bubble could arrive at its destination faster than light would in normal space without breaking any physical laws, even Einstein’s cosmic speed limit.

How long does it take for an ion thruster to reach top speed?

With such puny thrust, a NEXT-based ion drive would need to run for 10,000 hours — just over a year — to reach a suitable speed for space travel.

How fast can a Hall thruster go?

Hall thrusters are able to accelerate their exhaust to speeds between 10 and 80 km/s (1,000–8,000 s specific impulse), with most models operating between 15 and 30 km/s. The thrust produced depends on the power level.

How fast is nuclear pulse propulsion?

velocity of 13,411 km/s, at a distance of 4.5 light years – equivalent to 4.5\% of light speed).

How fast DO thrusters go on a spacecraft?

Several thrusters can be used on a spacecraft, but they are often used just one at a time. Spacecraft powered by these thrusters can reach speeds up to 90,000 meters per second (over 200,000 mph). In comparison, the Space Shuttles can reach speeds around 18,000 mph.

What is the top speed of a Space Shuttle?

Spacecraft powered by these thrusters can reach speeds up to 90,000 meters per second (over 200,000 mph). In comparison, the Space Shuttles can reach speeds around 18,000 mph. The trade-off for the high top speeds of ion thrusters is low thrust (or low acceleration).

How fast can a spacecraft cruise at the speed of light?

Later studies indicate that the top cruise velocity that can theoretically be achieved are a few percent of the speed of light (0.08–0.1c). An atomic (fission) Orion can achieve perhaps 9\%–11\% of the speed of light.

What is the fastest spacecraft?

Fastest using current technology Indisputably, the fastest spacecraft among the aforementioned list is a laser propelled [3] sail. This is a sail that is pushed by the pressure of photons incident on an area with great intensity. Sails can reach near light speeds, and are not beyond our technological limits.