Quote:
Originally Posted by MaryAnn
Most systems have horrendous acceleration in G. In addition, decent acceleration systems have an awful delta-V in mps. What system is the best to take off from Earth without dropping nuclear bombs on the task (Orion Drives)?
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HEDM is first, Nuclear Thermal Rocket is second and Antimatter Thermal Rocket is third for reason of fuel cost if nothing else. With unlimited budgets you might get a little bettter fuel enconomy with the Ram-Rocket option.
Oh, there was an lmplied bias against Superscience! drives in your post (also one about takign off from Earth) so I assumed you didn't want those. Reactionless Thrusters (above Rotary) are usable if Superscience! is allowed and Contragravity makes lift-off with almost anything possible.