From: mikkelhaaheim@gmail.com   
      
   On Sunday, October 30, 2016 at 8:33:12 PM UTC+1, 0something0 wrote:   
   > It would still save a lot of delta-V I would imagine, depending on how   
   relativistic you are going. It's like using parachutes on Mars: While   
   parachutes alone can't do the job, it helps a lot.   
      
   Sorry, I did not see this reply earlier.   
      
   It might not be so simple. IFF you already have all the required systems in   
   place (and you need them anyway, for other functions), then yes, even a little   
   extra help is still help. However, the required systems will likely take up a   
   lot of mass, which    
   means you will need even more energy to achieve the same (remaining) delta-v   
   later. It is entirely possible, if not probable, that the extra penalties   
   induced by the presence of the system will vastly overshadow any benefit   
   received.   
   Keep in mind that there is also the issue of the amount of energy required to   
   produce a field of sufficient size. It is my understanding that THIS was the   
   actual principle criticism against the Bussard Ramscoop. The comment of a   
   Bussard scoop being    
   better suited as a speed-break, as I understand the matter, was never actually   
   intended to be taken seriously, but only intended to highlight losses in   
   efficiency that make such an energy expense definitely NOT worthwhile.   
      
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