Space X and Tesla Motors Inc TSLA founder Elon Musk tweeted about his appearance on Sunday’s episode of "The Simpsons" where Lisa Simpson ponders why Musk, known for his investments in battery and solar power, burns so much rocket fuel.
Musk tweeted why, unlike in Tesla's cars, Space X does not use electric-powered rockets:
If u saw @TheSimpsons and wonder why @SpaceX doesn't use an electric rocket to reach orbit, it is cuz that is impossible
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 26, 2015
Continuing the physics lesson:
Reason is Newton's Third Law. In vacuum, there is nothing to "push" against. You must react against ejected mass.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 26, 2015
Musk also addressed alternative forms of propulsion:
Ion thrusters are great, but have extremely tiny force (photon thruster even less). Must have more thrust than weight or you don't go up.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 26, 2015
Lastly, Musk noted that some options would also lead to disaster:
Final one: anything launched by a railgun (if you could ever reach ~ Mach 27) would explode upon exiting the barrel in our dense atmosphere
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 26, 2015
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