Is an Electric Jet-Rocket Possible in the Future?

[EdEarl]

A related question must be answered to know the answer in the Topic of this post. What are the limits to energy storage in super capacitors, especially energy density and energy/mass. If the energy density and energy/mass are similar or better than liquid fuels, then I believe it is possible; otherwise, not.

 

The electric charge could power a laser to heat air inside a jet engine, or some unspecified working fluid inside a rocket engine to create propulsion. The difference between jet and rocket is simply the rocket must carry the working fluid, instead of it being air. For example, a rocket might carry water which would be vaporized by a laser in the combustion chamber and be vented backward through a rocket nozzle.

 

Does anyone know if these calculations have been done, or if anything related has been published. If so where? TYVM. I know some experiments were done with a ground based laser aimed upward at a flying vehicle (i.e., rocket).

[MigL]

Certainly not electrical, but there have been attempts at 'fuelless' planes.

 

I do know there was a project in the late 50s ( the hayday of aviation innovation ) for a nuclear powered bomber.

The prime contractor was Convair, which was later a division of General Dynamics Corp and is now part of Lockheed-Martin.

It was a tailless medium bomber, which could be in the air for extended periods of time to escape destruction, as airfields were the most heavily targetted places on earth during the cold war.

It used a compact reactor which used sodium for cooling/heat transfer. The reactor was test flown in, but did not power, a Convair B-36 bomber.

 

The whole project was scrapped when it was realised the crew couldn't stay up for months or weeks because of human 'needs' and the excessive weight of shielding needed.

[EdEarl]

IMO fission materials should not be flown in the atmosphere; moving it on the ground is dangerous enough.

Edited December 15, 2014 by EdEarl

[Delta1212]

IMO fusion materials should not be flown in the atmosphere; moving it on the ground is dangerous enough.

I think you mean fission.

[EdEarl]

I think you mean fission.

tyvm