Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Science

OKIsItJustMe

(22,089 posts)

15. I've been watching "For All Mankind" on Apple TV

Reply to eppur_se_muova (Reply #14)

Sat May 16, 2026, 06:15 PM

7 hrs ago

In their alternate timeline, they deploy a number of things NASA had on the drawing boards, but never used, including a nuclear powered engine. I mentioned this to a space/scientifically literate friend, and he immediately thought I meant using explosions to power a spacecraft.

In fact, it was while looking for documentation on the NERVA project that I “stumbled” upon the story in the OP.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

16 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

NASA Fires Up Powerful Lithium-Fed Thruster for Trips to Mars [View all] OKIsItJustMe Friday OP

Another fucking waste of money. 3Hotdogs Yesterday #1

Previous ion engines have favored very heavy atoms as propellant -- mercury or xenon. More atomic mass -- eppur_se_muova 23 hrs ago #2

The NERVA engine used hydrogen, so (you know) lithium is heavier than that, but certainly lighter than mercury OKIsItJustMe 14 hrs ago #4

Hydrogen is being used there as ejectable mass, nothing more. It's handled by mechanical pumps and pressure. eppur_se_muova 13 hrs ago #5

Check out the NASA paper I added to the bottom of the reply OKIsItJustMe 13 hrs ago #6

Thanks for the paper. I knew about the older nuclear interest. eppur_se_muova 12 hrs ago #7

NERVA was not the same as Orion OKIsItJustMe 11 hrs ago #8

Yes, I know that, thank you. In fact you're just repeating things I've already said in my replies. nt eppur_se_muova 9 hrs ago #10

We both realize that (I was even repeating myself) OKIsItJustMe 9 hrs ago #12

Ah, OK ... writing for a larger audience ... eppur_se_muova 7 hrs ago #14

I've been watching "For All Mankind" on Apple TV OKIsItJustMe 7 hrs ago #15

Isn't lithium in somewhat short supply? erronis 15 hrs ago #3

Meanwhile, at a grossly overspent under intellectual trump supported SpaceX 3825-87867 9 hrs ago #9

NASA is facing serious cuts OKIsItJustMe 9 hrs ago #11

More from the paper cited by OKIsItJustMe .... eppur_se_muova 7 hrs ago #13

"It must have been a real pleasure to work out the mathematics of MPD for the first time..." OKIsItJustMe 7 hrs ago #16