How much fuel would it take for a current or on-the-drawing-board Ion-propelled probe to journey from the solar system to Alpha Centauri, assuming constant acceleration to the halfway point and constant deceleration from the halfway point? Assume a probe of negligible mass (compared to the fuel) and whatever departure conditions are reasonable (gravity sling around Jupiter or other outer planet(s) for a "free" boost).
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How much fuel would it take for a current or on-the-drawing-board Ion-propelled probe to journey from the solar system to Alpha Centauri, assuming constant acceleration to the halfway point and constant deceleration from the halfway point? Assume a probe of negligible mass (compared to the fuel) and whatever departure conditions are reasonable (gravity sling around Jupiter or other outer planet(s) for a "free" boost).
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