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From: space@mit-mc
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Funny units in SF book
Message-ID: <1083@mordor.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 14-Mar-85 15:11:40 EST
Article-I.D.: mordor.1083
Posted: Thu Mar 14 15:11:40 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 22-Mar-85 02:45:28 EST
Sender: daemon@mordor.UUCP
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From: James Parker <Parker.es@XEROX.ARPA>

Pavel,

in metric units you are quite correct in your reasoning.  "specific
impulse" is the english engineering term used to obscure the fact you're
talking about exhaust velocity.  since i don't understand english
engineering units, i can't tell you why specific impulse comes out in 1
/ sec.  i learned the metric system at age 20 and that cleared up lots
of questions like yours.  if you want to understand physics, think
metric.

James