AH challenge: Prove Ian Wrong (RE: Orion)

I don't think any of Ian's problems are insurmountable. I think his issue might have been that it's not the "magic bullet."

In my Afrikaner TL, I have Orion-type spacecraft built as expensive prestige projects for exploring the outer solar system. They end up being retired after an orbital accident nearly starts WWIII (the EMPs from an out-of-control detonation destroy satellites and make it seem like somebody launched a high-altitude burst).

(All this took Ian's concerns into account.)

Now, onto a just-Orion TL...

The Outer Space Treaty banned nuclear weapons in space, taking the wind out of Orion's sails. Make it so only WEAPONS are banned and not peaceful nukes, like Orion propellant charges.
 
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