Talk:Torchship

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The article incorrectly described the use of the term in Heinlein's fiction, where it referred to a drive that supposedly converted any mass directly into energy. (Heinlein also described nuclear fission powered rockets, but didn't call them torchships in his stories.)

The originator of the term may be Heinlein, but it predates Double Star as it was referenced in Farmer in the Sky (1950). The drive or ships using Mass conversion are also referred to as Ortega Torchships and Ortega was the name of the Chief Engineer aboard the Mayflower, the torchship in Farmer in the Sky. Torchships were also referenced in Heinlein's Time for the Stars (1956). I would change the article to reflect the earlier usage, but I'm not sure if there's a still earlier usage.. Jason P Crowell 00:36, 7 September 2007 (UTC)