A new means of space propulsion... closed loop pulse propulsion... here's the idea

[mikelewis]

7. Follow up Question... Speed in mph over multiple reloads?

That's fine but they would still be moving and let's assume repeated firings... how fast in mph after 1 shot, 5 shots, 100 shots...
ChatGPT
To calculate the speed of the astronaut in miles per hour (mph) after multiple shots, we'll use the effective recoil velocity we calculated earlier. We'll then scale this velocity with the number of shots and convert it to mph.

The effective recoil velocity we calculated is approximately
?
0.022
?0.022 m/s per shot. Let's calculate the speed for 1, 5, and 100 shots:

Speed After 1 Shot:

The speed is simply the effective recoil velocity.
Speed After 5 Shots:

The speed is 5 times the effective recoil velocity.
Speed After 100 Shots:

The speed is 100 times the effective recoil velocity.
We'll then convert these speeds from meters per second (m/s) to miles per hour (mph). The conversion factor is 1 m/s ? 2.237 mph. Let's do the calculations.

Based on the calculations:

After 1 shot, the astronaut would be moving at approximately
?
0.048
?0.048 mph.
After 5 shots, the speed would increase to about
?
0.241
?0.241 mph.
After 100 shots, the astronaut would be moving at roughly
?
4.82
?4.82 mph.
These speeds are cumulative, assuming each shot adds the same amount of velocity and that all other conditions remain constant. The negative sign indicates the direction of motion is opposite to the initial bullet direction. Remember, these are rough estimates based on a simplified model of the situation. ​​

User
So as a propulsion method, this would only be viable if he only had two slugs and lots of powder...
ChatGPT
Yes, using a shotgun as a propulsion method in space, as depicted in your scenario, would be more effective if the astronaut has only a few slugs and a lot of gunpowder. This is due to several key factors:

Limited Increase in Speed per Shot:

As the calculations show, each shot only imparts a relatively small increase in speed (a few hundredths of a mph per shot). This means that to achieve significant speeds, a large number of shots would be required.
Practicality of Carrying Ammunition:

Carrying a large number of slugs would be impractical due to space and weight constraints. However, if the astronaut could reuse the same slugs with additional gunpowder, this would reduce the need for carrying a large amount of ammunition.
Efficiency of Momentum Transfer:

In your scenario, bending the barrels to redirect the slugs back towards the astronaut and then reusing them is a creative way to maintain the supply of slugs. However, the efficiency of this process is crucial. Realistically, each redirection and impact would result in some loss of energy and momentum, making the process less efficient over time.
Safety and Control:

Using a shotgun for propulsion in space poses significant safety risks, especially considering the need to precisely aim the weapon to control the direction of movement. Additionally, the impact of the slugs, even if the suit is bulletproof, could cause harm or damage the suit.
In summary, while the concept is intriguing and highlights some interesting physics principles, it's not a practical method for propulsion in space with current technology and safety standards. More conventional methods like chemical rockets or ion thrusters are currently more viable for space propulsion.