Orion drive

English

Orion drive propulsion module schematic

Etymology

Orion +‎ drive From it originating from Project Orion, a U.S. government study from the 1950s; and it being a spacecraft propulsion method.

Noun

Orion drive (plural Orion drives)

1. (astronautics, science fiction) A theoretical means to propel spacecraft through space, by detonating nuclear bombs behind the spaceship and riding the nuclear explosions that push against the rear mounted pusher plate.
2. (astronautics, science fiction) An engine utilizing such a method.

Coordinate terms

• nuclear-thermal drive
• nuclear-electric drive

See also

• Project Orion (nuclear propulsion) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia