"Ron Natalie" wrote in message
...
Gig 601XL Builder wrote:


So the question is would a nuclear powered engine, once in space, provide
enough energy to be more efficient than a more conventional power source.
I think the answer might be yes for high earth orbit and as the craft
moved farther away from the earth gravity well it would be even more
efficient.
Huh? What do you need the engine for? If it's for propulsion then
the mass is going to be important, the force needed to be applied is
proportional of the mass. If you are just using it for other power
purposes, then it doesn't necessarily make a difference.

My comment was made in a world where nuke propulsion isn't going to be used
for launches in the foreseeable future. So the question was would a nuclear
propulsion unit give you enough power to make up for the added mass of the
unit. I would assume if you were going to go to the trouble of putting a
nuke in there you'd use it for all power needs from propulsion to the
lights.