[Spaceships] getting into orbit without superscience?

fdsa1234567890 · 08-28-2021, 08:55 PM

In a context in which metallic hydrogen is the main fuel source, might there still be applications for which chemical engines are preferred for safety reasons?

The downside to metallic hydrogen is that it is metastable, which means that while it would work in the sense of allowing for easier rocket design, it seems like it would be much higher risk in the event of damage to your craft. Mechanically it has similar dangers to antimatter, even if to a much lesser scale.

08-28-2021, 08:55 PM	#21
fdsa1234567890 Join Date: May 2011	Re: [Spaceships] getting into orbit without superscience? In a context in which metallic hydrogen is the main fuel source, might there still be applications for which chemical engines are preferred for safety reasons? The downside to metallic hydrogen is that it is metastable, which means that while it would work in the sense of allowing for easier rocket design, it seems like it would be much higher risk in the event of damage to your craft. Mechanically it has similar dangers to antimatter, even if to a much lesser scale.