Quote:
Originally Posted by kreios
Most importantly, though, the fusion torch's propellant is also only $2000 (or $20 with water) per ton, compared to the $50,000 per ton for the pulse drives. That will probably make it more economical for almost all trade - if you can assume waystations, it will be more economical.
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I missed that. For some reason I thought you'd be using raw hydrogen to fuel the pulse drives. That certainly makes the torches cheaper than the pulse drives.
It still leaves fusion rockets outperforming the torches, but its a narrower margin (x4 instead of x7). Actually, you probably won't strain credulity any more than the torch already does if you let one engine switch freely between rocket and Torch mode. Though that may just complicate your math more.
Are you trying eliminate space only craft as an element?