Nuclear Pulse Propulsion

[Miss Valeska]

I've read a bit on Nuclear Pulse Propulsion, And I am curious, Couldn't the fallout effects be avoided by creating a first stage, Being a chemical rocket, In order to get the vehicle into orbit?

 

Also, Is an orbit necessary with such a powerful machine? Couldn't one just fly directly towards the celestial body one wishes to orbit/land on?

[ribuck]

Orbiting is not necessary, but neither is it a problem. On the way towards attaining escape velocity, the rocket needs to pass through orbital velocity anyway, so it can hang in orbit for as long as desired without penalty.