P3_5 On the minimum mass for a Death Star's power system

Authors

  • R. H. Peck
  • H. W. Buttery
  • C. D.Y. Moore
  • C. J. Middleton

Abstract

We examine the minimum mass necessary to build the power system for a "Death Star", as shown in the "Star Wars" series of films, using current technology. Considering its powerplant as a Carnot engine we are able to find a balance between the necessary mass of reactor and heat radiators so as to reduce the overall mass of the Death Star's power system to 6.8 x 10^25 kg, approximately 930 times the mass of Earth's moon (to 2 significant figures).

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Published

18-11-2016

How to Cite

Peck, R. H., Buttery, H. W., Moore, C. D., & Middleton, C. J. (2016). P3_5 On the minimum mass for a Death Star’s power system. Physics Special Topics, 15(1). Retrieved from https://journals.le.ac.uk/index.php/pst/article/view/879

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2016): Physics Special Topics

Section

Articles