Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Like Thunderbirds' Fireflash?
Nuclear-powered aircraft? I read about those when I was eight years old in one of my favorite childhood books, Our Friend the Atom, a 1958 Walt Disney book about the wonders of nuclear power.
Nuclear-powered bombers were in development in the 1950's; both the United States and the Soviet Union worked on the idea, only to discard it when it appeared that missiles would do the job better.
The intent was to develop an aircraft that could remain on station for weeks at a time, if necessary, without refueling.
(Nuclear-powered B-36 jet bomber [experimental])
Dr. Ian Poll, Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Cranfield university, says that the experiments conducted during the Cold War have shown that nuclear-powered aircraft are possible. And there is a new problem; since the end of the oil era is now in sight, we need an alternative to kerosene-powered aircraft.
“We need a design which is not kerosene-powered, and I think nuclear-powered aeroplanes are the answer beyond 2050. The idea was proved 50 years ago, but I accept it would take about 30 years to persuade the public of the need to fly on them.”“It's done on nuclear submarines and could be achieved on aircraft by locating the reactors with the engines out on the wings,” Dr. Poll said.
Update 26-Apr-2021: In his 1928 classic The Moon of Doom, Earl L. Bell describes nuclear-powered atoplanes. End update.
Fans of the series Thunderbirds recall the Fireflash airliner. The first episode shows the nuclear-powered airliner on its maiden voyage from London to Tokyo. At six times the speed of sound.
(Fireflash from Thunderbirds)
Thrill to these scenes showing the takeoff of the nuclear-powered airliner Fireflash in splendid Supermarionation!
From Nuclear-powered passenger aircraft 'to transport millions' says expert; thanks to Winchell Chung for the tip and references.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 10/30/2008)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 0 )
Related News Stories - (" Vehicle ")
Martha Stewart Approves Ojai 'Living Room On Wheels'
'Young people found the driverless car admirable for petting.' - David H. Keller, 1935.
Orb Nomad Zero-Emission Electric Aircraft
'That explains how it was so easy for me to remain motionless in midair or to perch on a flagpole in imitation of a giant bird, even in the windy city of Chicago.' RH Romans, 1929.
The Amazing Lightfoot Electric Scooter With Solar Assist
'The steel tortoise gave MacKinnon a feeling of Crusoe- like independence.' - Robert Heinlein, 1940.
Leader-Follower Autonomous Vehicle Technology
'Jason had been guiding the caravan of cars as usual...' - Gordon R. Dickson, 1954.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
'If Anyone Is Watching Earth...'
'Our study of your race has convinced us that you are not fitted to leave your planet in the present state of your civilization.'
Epirus High-Power Microwave Defeats Drones
'...the spreading beam of the deranging ray struck them, and Then one toppled and fell. Then another.'
Cloud Of Space Rubbish From China's Long March Rocket
'Within seconds the material was spread out over fifty yards, in a matter of hours it might occupy several cubic miles of space...'
Biomimetic Tendons From Rochu Robotics
'... the curious parallelism to animal motions.'
Living Human Neuron Biological Compute Rack
'The men are dead, but their acquired wisdom lives on and I am the beneficiary.'
Martha Stewart Approves Ojai 'Living Room On Wheels'
'Young people found the driverless car admirable for petting.'
ESA's Draco To Study Heat Of Reentry
'...a synthetic which air-friction would erode.'
Buy A Galaxy? Maybe Start Smaller
'The sky is the limit' just got higher.
The United States Space Academy Is Official
'Is our orbit to Space Academy clear?'
Is There A Global Problem With Who Is Having Children?
'After twenty generations of shillyshallying...'
You Will Eat The Cookies Made From Plastic...
'Our planes are going to start bringing in bales of discarded plastics...'
It's A Giant Robot! You Reporters Have Been Warned!
'... completely forgetting the ship at sight of the awesome figure and great head of the giant Gaut...'
Birds Learn To Sing Pictures ala Frank Herbert's Distrans
'We will fight in the time of fighting.'
ElectionSim: China's 'Ender's Game' Battle Sim, Or Lem's 'Kingdom In A Box'?
'So, Ender, we will now begin your education.'
Tactile Skin Supplier Map
'What strange sensitivity! What an amazing development of science was manifested in every move and act and word of this Robot!'
Flock Stymied By 'Adversarial Fashion'
'Forget the head atop it, the legs below, feet, arms, hands. It compels erasure.'
