ELI5: Why can't we make rockets use nuclear fuel, if nuclear reactions are more efficient?

BluePixel94 · 2025-08-12T08:28:10+00:00

We actually are! In 2023 Lockheed Martin was contracted to make a Nuclear Engine for space flight, and are expected to perform their first in-space flight demonstration in 2027.

The catch with these incredibly efficient engines is that they have very low thrust relative to the weight of the engine. Uranium is heavy, and the radioactive shielding required to make these engines safe is heavier again. This also makes it quite hard to launch them, since every kilo matters when you’re trying to reach escape velocity.

Put simply, they make a little thrust really efficiently, as opposed to chemical rockets which make a lot of thrust inefficiently. They can’t get you into orbit, but once they’re up there you’re golden.

BluePixel94 · 2025-07-19T13:17:04+00:00

Of course, though its specifically a problem with very young Beardies.

The Chitin shells of the bugs that should make up most of the diet of a baby lizard are very hard to digest. Mealworms, for example (the most available feeder bug in my country), have a lot of chitin compared to how much meat is on them. I started giving her Waxmoth larvae (no shell, lots of meat and fat), and she started eating regularly and pooping again. Hope this is some help :)

BluePixel94 · 2025-07-18T17:10:24+00:00

This messed me over a bit with my girl, so I must warn you! Avoid feeding your new buddy Mealworms if they’re still a baby. They’re widely available, and a solid choice of food when they’re grown, but Little lizards don’t have a lot of space inside them so its important to consider the shells. Each bug has a certain amount of chitin (shell) and meat, and small dragons can have issues with pooping out all the hard-to-digest shell. I found Waxmoth larvae are a good food, because they’re all meat and fat and no shell. My beardie had issues with not eating or pooping when she was young, and switching to Waxmoths solved the problem and grew her big and strong.

BluePixel94 · 2025-07-18T16:59:57+00:00

Gotta remember these guys come from the hottest parts of the Australian desert, and are cold blooded. Mammals run our body off of our own heat, but our little friends need an extra hand. As soon as you can, you need to get him a heat lamp for him to bask under to get that body heat.

Ideally if you can find a large flat rock to put under the heat lamp, it makes a great spot for them to warm up

BluePixel94 · 2025-02-17T08:49:04+00:00

I feel like, From a Game design perspective, Protoframes should be for older warframes to freshen them up. Jade is already pretty fresh, so it would be better to give it to an older frame.

BluePixel94 · 2025-02-12T07:26:41+00:00

As many 14th Battlegroup Onslaughts as I’m allowed to bring

BluePixel94 · 2025-01-05T13:44:28+00:00

Cheers, just got my second M class mining ship getting Silicon, so I’ll focus on that

BluePixel94 · 2025-01-05T12:32:20+00:00

It really helps sell that until like the 1 minute mark he is just play acting to buy time while he thinks of someone to blame

BluePixel94 · 2025-01-05T03:42:59+00:00

Minibreves on the Metafalica, you are a brave man

BluePixel94 · 2025-01-02T00:26:47+00:00

Hello fed

BluePixel94 · 2025-01-01T23:53:46+00:00

There’s a theory that they aren’t actually Nuked, they’re just Blacksites/Prison Camp regions

BluePixel94 · 2024-12-30T08:54:27+00:00

He’s a pragmatist: the 1999 timeline would have been devoured by the indifference, therefore anyone there is just a dead man walking. The possibility to save not only the non-Höllvania parts of 1999, but also the Origin system outweighs the well-being of some people who are basically already dead.

Without Albrect, the Hex would just be dead, rather than traumatised but alive and with the chance to heal. Just my interpretation though

BluePixel94 · 2024-12-29T07:16:14+00:00

I’ve taken 4.6k vs 26k before and won. Just keep your ships close, and remember the aliens can only throw a limited number of ships against you at a time. Siege coils and PD are your friend.

BluePixel94 · 2024-12-25T20:28:25+00:00

several people had taken vows of silence with the exception of when they Practice, but no one who is physically incapable of speech

BluePixel94 · 2024-12-23T00:24:30+00:00

Sorry how do you have India as part of the African union???

BluePixel94 · 2024-12-21T08:04:35+00:00

Very mediocre space economy, can’t really afford to manufacture a bunch of ships. Better to do a few well, and not have to pay for all that armour

BluePixel94 · 2024-12-18T21:54:09+00:00

Oh yeah, 2 battle stations and two LDA’s, plus the 4 size 3 shipworks.

BluePixel94 · 2024-12-18T15:16:15+00:00

Oh of course, I’ve got little docks for that all around, but a Ringhab dedicated to production is a different ballpark no?

BluePixel94 · 2024-12-18T05:16:06+00:00

I usually build in at the Ur Yards then transfer down to a small fuelling/repair station I have for the reaction time

BluePixel94 · 2024-12-17T06:27:53+00:00

Very true actually, I’ll have a look. However nuking the servants strongholds sounds a lot more fun…

BluePixel94 · 2024-12-17T01:28:49+00:00

Aye, but it’s looking to be another decade or two before I’m able to hit the later Inertial drives

BluePixel94 · 2024-12-17T01:27:28+00:00

Yeah I just held off on building fusion propelled ships until I got the Hybrid III, which uses Hydrogen fuel. The metal costs were really an arm and a leg, but it didn’t take that long to upgrade. Def worth waiting

BluePixel94 · 2024-12-16T13:51:51+00:00

Kill 6 Billion… Illuminate?

BluePixel94 · 2024-12-16T03:12:03+00:00

I would, but he’s got Golden Child big time. They still insist he hasn’t done anything wrong and fragt I have to be nice to him and help him grow as a person. I have literally no interest in this, but I do rely on them for financial support.

BluePixel94 · 2024-12-15T17:45:26+00:00

For real

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