reaction drive n.
a propulsion system for a slower-than-light spacecraft that generates thrust by ejecting matter in a direction opposite that of travel
Cf. earlier standard reaction engine, reaction motor (OED: 1849 and 1900, respectively).
Propulsion
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1942
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L. M. Jensen
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Ben, you’ve been around the starliner business long enough, now, that you should know those old reaction-drive cans couldn’t be remodeled.
Probability Zero!: Take-Off in Astounding Science-Fiction Dec. 108/2 -
1949
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Theodore Sturgeon
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They fired up the reaction drive and began to move toward the sun.
Minority Report in Astounding Science Fiction June 137/1
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1959
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G. Harry Stine
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Rockets, with the proper propulsion system, may switch from a reaction drive to a system using electrogravity energy once they have progressed sufficiently beyond the disturbing influence of this planet with its strong electrogravity field.
Letter from Tomorrow in Fantastic Universe May 125/1 -
1970
James Blish
Even so small a ship as a seven-man reaction-drive shuttle offers abundant crannies in which to hole up.
Spock Must Die! x. 69 -
1980
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Milton A. Rothman
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If conservation of momentum is a valid law, then every interstellar space drive must be a reaction drive.
On Designing an Interstellar Spaceship in Asimov’s Science Fiction Sept. 118 -
1993
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Geoffrey A. Landis
Jorj Strumolo
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Auxiliary systems, check. Prime reaction drive, check.
Cost of Styxite Science Fiction Age Jan. 42/2
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2015
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Steve White
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But subtle fluctuation of the artificial gravity let them know, even in the dim depths of the slave compartment, when the Primary Limit had been entered and the transport was maneuvering under reaction drive.
Soldiers Out of Time xix. 145
Research requirements
antedating 1942
Earliest cite
L. M. Jensen, in Astounding
Research History
Bill Seabrook located and Mike Christie confirmed a 1949 cite from Theodore Sturgeon's "Minority Report".Ben Ostrowsky submitted a 2015 cite from Steve White.
Earliest cite in OED2: 1957, which was from the novel version of the Sturgeon story; OED3 now has the 1949 cite (misdated as "1941").
Last modified 2021-08-20 17:39:03
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entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries
in OED.