Nuclear Pulse Engine Technology

Researched by Dr. Slaan in 1st December 2030[1].

The design of a Nuclear Pulse Engine is at once stunningly simple and breathtakingly complex. The first attempt to develop a spacecraft based on the NPE concept was the United State's Project Orion concept in the 1950s-60s. These crude small scale experiments revealed the difficulties inherent in the design: precise timing of massive explosive forces, and the extreme engineering challenges required to contain those explosions into something useful while protecting the ship and crew from physical destruction and radiation. These factors, combined with Political pressure against radioactive nuclear testing, killed further research into NPE technology.

The development of Trans-Newtonian Elements lead to a technological revolution across many fields of science, allowing new advancements into old concepts that had been shelved waiting for new technology to make them possible. The NPE was one such concept. New Duranium alloys allow for advanced blast expansion chamber construction, allowing massive pressures of thermal energy to be contained and released from the new NPE designs. Sorium based nuclear bomblets provide huge power outputs compared to their size, with significant reduction in radiation compared to traditional plutonium based reactions. TNE based micro electronic components and advanced materials led to the design of finely tuned and synchronized bomlet injector mechanisms, advanced pressure regulator wastegates allow for variable throttle inputs, a massive design improvement over the MKI NPE prototypes which relied solely upon momentum from its previous bomblet, leading to a ride described as "like being kicked in the ass over and over again by a pissed off Drill Sgt. wearing a Mobile Infantry Suit".

UN components using this technology

40000M-E100 Nuclear Pulse Engine

Centurion Series Nuclear Pulse Engine