[TML] Low tech space travel

[Rupert Boleyn]

Tod Glenn wrote:

> How would you provide power to the drive shafts for the jump drive?   
> I am leaning towards electric motors, but it feels like cheating.

I've just had a vision of massive flywheels, set in contra-rotating 
pairs, with massive gear systems to extract power when needed (and which 
can be linked 'directly' to the armatures via massive clutches), with 
supplemental clockwork and spring regulators to keep them spinning 
against friction when they aren't being used.

They'd be 'spun up' using either ground based steam power or a 'solar 
furnace' (as seen in Space:1889) while in near-solar space, for use 
during the interstellar journey.

-- 
Rupert Boleyn <rboleyn at ihug.co.nz>