Scope of the Revised Orion Project Challenge

It is suggested that a series of manned atomic tests be conducted, the main expense being the very costly re-fuelable return thrust engines the pilot sits in. After a cannon/canister/tube has been proved capable of surviving a series of tests, a new tube of the same specification is used for a speed run through sequenced explosions (sequencing is only a technical issue but like the trigger is classified - except to any historian of the ww2 development). The issue is physical containment, but pilot protected by a shield would be safe. Only once sequenced great distance from earth would be achievable and fatal if the cannon cracked, hence number of single shots tested must be no less than number sequenced. The only invention here is the test apparatus which any idiot could design, if bore in mind that such a physical test would be untetherable and would need returned each time for examination under conventional power. Hence test apparatus engine and pilot and shield can be used over and over again. Failure point revolves around medieval lesson of developing cannon - must it actually be forged in one piece (called the HMS Sheffield limit in that a space station with Sheffield's steel forging capability would be required and hence beyond this era's resources). However the massive size of the test apparatus return engines (critical mass is fixed at Hiroshima - no less) would be suitable as an afterthought for a high powered dash for Mars. Yet the objective is a speed-trial. Investment would only come with the promise of interstellar travel in a suggested return time of 6 months.

If Einstein is correct than the less than variable of light would establish a reliable goal for cryogenics and artificial intelligence (more likely) capable of travelling the minimum 15 years. If Einstein is wrong then a spaceship with crew and helicopters plus as yet developed HOTOL multiple-stacking mothership to earth relauncher needs built. The objective is the unfair exchange of large precious jewels (gold too heavy) for obvious gifts, the expectation being an Aztec/Inca civilisation. This is the capital return on investment for the British financial contribution which is the conventional refuelling by astronaut hand of the test apparatus for a suggested 100 tests. However territorial conquest would be for the Americans but other powers would want technical information upon success. The Chinese should be invited to participate as technical experts to prevent a new cold war division, their peculiar failure to apply physical containment of gunpowder to develop the cannon being a unique insight for sharing with the project. Desatellisation would be a possible extra cost due to the EMF signal of the test explosions. However star wars/SDI once implemented could create a disaster if the military were to think desatellisation could be achieved through a limited satellite conflict between superpowers. Of course successful interstellar travel within good time boundaries would enable every nation with significant atomic weaponry stocks to convert materials into exploration in all directions away from earth. However we live at a critical time in planetary development since the technology to send us into interstellar reach is the same technology that can destroy us. Hence we hatch as a planet or burn ourselves.

Scope of the Revised Orion Project Challenge continued

Interestingly enough the galaxies are far apart, suggesting that to jump them requires the physical containment of the hydrogen bomb. Thus another galaxy may be well developed but unable to jump while our own nest (our galaxy) lags behind with perhaps some interstellar exploration being conducted at a distant end that has not reached us. However analysis of global economics suggests we may well burn ourselves before this point of contact if we do not reject Einstein as falsely represented (He was the chief theorist behind the atomic bomb and that was E=MC2 but of course this solar religion based on the speed of light particle (Aztec/Greek sun worship urge) is promoted in the media as the explanation why the speed of light cannot be reached. However the theory of relativity is what the economists call the law of diminishing returns which cannot in itself set a limit unless tests demonstrate a curve. It is likely Einstein chose a natural phenomenon as a limit (but Christianity pushed scientific development through rejecting the tendency to stick at natural phenomenon with the "it's a miracle" concept) as a limit to introduce a law of diminishing returns into quantum physics. He was not an economist concerned with applying technology to limited resources. However the flat earth opposition to Columbus should tell us that this current solar religion will not be broke easily. hence the worry that the black death of 1349 before the American discovery 1492 was the collapse in society needed in order that an exploration technically possible was not effectively opposed when society re-formed its strength (an argument for military survivalism in underground optical media knowledge storage centres awaiting the inevitable conflict between superpowers with SDI shields).