Alternate Fuel Vehicles

--- In spacesettlers, "John Frazer" wrote:

> "Xenophile" wrote:

>> Good bit of anticipation. This question was bound to be asked. I
>> would recommend also that a bit of fuel be kept on board, even
>> though that would hurt efficiency. Just in case the beam is cut off
>> (military, terrorist, asteroid, debris, etc.).

> Add in to the list of difficulties "Software glitches, human
> error..." the most likely problems with any such system.

Good point.

> I thought I did say that planes might carry ~20% of the fuel that
> would be normal today.

You did. I somehow missed it.

> Maybe an hour of endurance, in addition to what's needed for
> climbing up to / descending from cruise altitude.
> The fuel might be pressurised or liquid CH4 or maybe just around
> liquifaction temperature, so boil-off is contained as pressurised
> gas and leads to easy flow. Maybe some sort of gel or some
> synthetic which is slightly more energetic / compact than straight
> CH4 and more easily carried & handled than pressurised or liquified
> gas.

Whatever works. ^_^

> BTW, something relevant
> http://www1.msfc.nasa.gov/NEWSROOM/news/releases/2003/03-180.html
> 10-09-03
> NASA research team successfully flies first laser-powered aircraft
> ...

Now this sounds cool.

> There's also some good R&D into air breathing laser thermal craft
> too
> http://www.lightcrafttechnologies.com/

Yeah yeah! This is cool enough to pretend I'm 22 and say kewl!

Xenophile (over 22, but by how much? Don't expect me to say!)