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3.2 Propulsion
3.2.1 In Solar System
Since it will not be practical (or safe!) to ignite the fusion drive while in earth orbit, another propulsion system will need to be used for the plane change and to escape the Earth and the solar system (see Orbits). Advanced solid rockets will be employed to accomplish these velocity changes. it is assumed that they will be similar in size and fuel to the Space Shuttle's SRB's with twice the specific impulse (near 600 seconds). Based on this assumption, the following parameters for the various upper stages were calculated:
(see appendix for calculations)
| Booster | Mass (kg) Fuel/Total |
Length (m) | Diameter (m) |
| Plane change | 352/417 | 16 | 3.7 |
| Escape Earth | 605/715 | 25 | 3.7 |
| Escape Sun | 252/298 | 11 | 3.7 |
| Total mass: | 1209/1430 |
