From 'The Effects of Nuclear Weapons' and other sources:
Complete fission of 57g of fissionable material produces 1kt (1.45).
The three most likely fusion reactions are (weighted for probability)
three times more effective (1.69) pound for pound.
Thus 1kt of energy (4.18e12J) requires complete fusion of 1/3 of 57g
ie 19g of hydrogen.
A Type S at 2G uses 25m3 of hydrogen per hour. That weighs 1750kg, so the
per second figure is 486g.
486g of hydrogen, undergong complete fusion, produces 25.6 kt of energy.
Still claiming that the type S has an engine output of 33kt per
second, Steve?
These fusion rockets are already more magical than a Staff of Wizardry, so
arguing about the exhaust seems as fruitful as arguing about if Magic Missiles
move in ballistic trajectories or not.
- -bertil-
- --
"It can be shown that for any nutty theory, beyond-the-fringe political view or
strange religion there exists a proponent on the Net. The proof is left as an
exercise for your kill-file."