Each Orion mission would require a couple dozen explosions to reach LEO, plus several (according to the delta-v you require for the specific journeys) for propelling them.
Don't forget the technology is not ready yet - it would be a lot harder than following the blueprints and building it naval ship style. Specific nukes would have to be developed for this project, nuclear fuel to be diverted from military uses, the environmental risks be measured and, possibly, an acceptable death toll would have to be determined. An astronaut blown to pieces is a very different thing than a mutant boy half a planet away whose lack of luck can be somewhat blamed on increased environmental radiation.
Orion is a great idea. Perhaps some aspects of it could be salvaged, but I seriously doubt we will see one ground-launched unless we develop pure fusion bombs. OTOH, if we are to bang our heads developing pure fusion bombs (which we can agree are a very bad idea), we could as well develop some other form of propulsion, nuclear fusion or not.
As for the number of nukes, just imagine how many a small fleet of them would require to haul itself around the solar system and other uses. Launching them (and their nukes) would be the easy part.
Orion is insanely cool and I am a bit ashamed we cannot build one, but I am not attached to it in any special way. This is not the way to go. It was not practical in the 50's and it's not practical now. We still must find a better way.
"The decommissioning programme of Russian nuclear warheads accounted for about 13% of total world requirement for enriched uranium leading up to 2008."
Etc.
(And of course it isn't a simple decision. Few interesting ones ever are.)
This is the second discussion in a short time where you obviously don't know anything at all but still write.
Personally, if I don't know anything about a subject, I just read and/or ask. Since I know my opinions will change when I know more, anyway.
Don't forget the technology is not ready yet - it would be a lot harder than following the blueprints and building it naval ship style. Specific nukes would have to be developed for this project, nuclear fuel to be diverted from military uses, the environmental risks be measured and, possibly, an acceptable death toll would have to be determined. An astronaut blown to pieces is a very different thing than a mutant boy half a planet away whose lack of luck can be somewhat blamed on increased environmental radiation.
Orion is a great idea. Perhaps some aspects of it could be salvaged, but I seriously doubt we will see one ground-launched unless we develop pure fusion bombs. OTOH, if we are to bang our heads developing pure fusion bombs (which we can agree are a very bad idea), we could as well develop some other form of propulsion, nuclear fusion or not.
As for the number of nukes, just imagine how many a small fleet of them would require to haul itself around the solar system and other uses. Launching them (and their nukes) would be the easy part.
Orion is insanely cool and I am a bit ashamed we cannot build one, but I am not attached to it in any special way. This is not the way to go. It was not practical in the 50's and it's not practical now. We still must find a better way.