Instead of installing ten fusion reactors to power the ship's systems
for 2000 years, just carry additional reactor fuel. It certainly
won't mass anywhere near as much as nine additional reactors.
Right. p. VE 85 says it uses hydrogen...
whether you store that as liquid, gas, or other is up to you.
If volume is the most expensive factor, I recommend stocking liquid
water (the hydrogen is denser than liquid hydrogen, plus you get oxygen
out of the deal, humans can drink the raw 'fuel', and it blocks radiation).
Following the advice of TNG, you could have a ramscoop to collect
interstellar hydrogen and help pay for the trip (and preventing near-c
collisions with atomic particles)...
I suspect, though, that you could get away with three reactors: one
live, one hot spare, and one undergoing maintenance. Add a big
workshop...
The startup cost (independent of output) is +200,000$ per reactor (P.
VE86), and will tend to encourage larger plants...
--
Eric Funk
Knowledge Brings Fear -- Motto of Mars University, Futurama
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