On Saturday, November 24, 2018 at 12:21:20 PM UTC-6, David Ellis wrote:   
   > Well, I wouldnt think that is entirely accurate.  It is handwavium only in   
   the sense that modern engineering doesn't understand how to make such a drive   
   function without vaporizing itself.     
   >    
   > To call it wholly a fictional concept isn't appropriate; physics does not   
   prohibit such a device.     
   >    
   > Torch drives are not impossible.  They are simply difficult to design.     
   >    
   > Yes, they are impossible with modern engineering, but in the context of   
   science fiction, where one is looking into the possibilities of future   
   engineering, they are certainly not beyond the realm of reason.   
      
   The reason that it is not possible is because of thermodynamics. The last time   
   I checked, thermodynamics was a big part of physics.    
      
   On Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 12:15:54 PM UTC-6, David Ellis wrote:   
   > You're correct about the magnets, but none of the other elements there are   
   necessary for fusion-based drives.  They are not mysteries in the realm of   
   physics.  The only barrier is one of engineering.  In other words, one needs   
   materials more resistant    
   to high thermal and tensile stresses, fluids capable of managing extremely   
   high thermal flux to effectively cool the components of a fusion rocket, and   
   magnetic containment designs that are more efficient and more effective at   
   preventing leakage of high-   
   energy particles, as well as other things.   
      
   No, it is not just a matter of engineering. Materials made out of elements on   
   the periodic table have certain thermodynamic limits based on underlying   
   physical principles that aren't going away because you enter the word "future"   
   in front of engineering.    
   You are basically saying that if we get a bunch of magic materials then we can   
   do magic things with them. The problem is that magic doesn't exist in real   
   life.    
      
   Can you build a fusion drive? Yes, of course you can. Will it be a scifi torch   
   drive? No, of course it will not.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)