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doctorcrimson t1_j2386a6 wrote

Reply to comment by HeebieMcJeeberson in What if we kept pursuing nuclear spacecraft propulsion? by rosTopicEchoChamber

Uh, hang on, how does it stay cool? Nuclear reactors require constant cooling to prevent meltdowns, you can't just use the same materials and expect this sort of craft to not begin shooting high energy beams through the hull midflight.

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Dmgfh t1_j23olzp wrote

The hydrogen being pumped around it probably doubles as coolant

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doctorcrimson t1_j2465oo wrote

That checks out if there's enough space between the wall and the bulb where it is being heated to the point of becoming rocket propellant, I think this would actually work pretty well for larger rockets and cargo rockets as was stated.

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Mayor__Defacto t1_j24y9ux wrote

The hydrogen being ejected is coolant and propellant at the same time.

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