Torchship

Torchship is a term used to refer to several different varieties of fictional spacecraft.

Its origin seems to be from the fiction of Robert A. Heinlein in his novels "Double Star", "Farmer In The Sky", "Time for the Stars", and his short story "Sky Lift". These ships were typically described as teardrop/spheroid in shape and possessed a torch drive system is a matter energy converter producing nearly 100% energy output from their fuel. The torch will convert any matter but usually uses water for its ease of storage and delivery. Torchships usually land in water on a planetary surface and refuel with that water. The TS Lewis & Clark in "Time for the Stars" carried a crew of 200, including surplus personnel, for its decades-long mission.

Other examples of torchships in fiction:
* Dan Simmons's "Hyperion Cantos"
* "Heart of the Comet" by Brin and Benford
* "Riding the Torch" by Norman Spinrad
* In the TV Show Andromeda a race called the Pyrians use Torchships as their main battleships. The episode Pitiless as the Sun shows the ships in confrontation with the Commonwealth.

ee also

* Singleship (Niven)