Orion drive

English thumb|Orion drive propulsion module schematic Etymology From en Orion drive, since it originated from en Project Orion (nuclear propulsion) Project Orion, a U.S. government study from the 1950s. Noun en space flight science fiction A theoretical means to propel spacecraft through space, by detonating nuclear bombs behind the spaceship and riding the nuclear explosions that push against the rear mounted pusher plate. en nuclear pulse propulsion An engine using such a method. Coordinate terms nuclear-thermal drive nuclear-electric drive See also en Project Orion (nuclear propulsion) en Nuclear rocketry Hypothetical means of transport