Mirror fusion propulsion system: A performance comparison with alternate propulsion systems for the manned Mars Mission
The performance characteristics of several propulsion technologies applied to piloted Mars missions are compared. The characteristics that are compared are Initial Mass in Low Earth Orbit (IMLEO), mission flexibility, and flight times. The propulsion systems being compared are both demonstrated and envisioned: Chemical (or Cryogenic), Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR) solid core, NTR gas core, Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP), and a mirror fusion space propulsion system. The proposed magnetic mirror fusion reactor, known as the Mirror Fusion Propulsion System (MFPS), is described. The description is an overview of a design study that was conducted to convert a mirror reactor experiment at Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL) into a viable space propulsion system. Design principles geared towards minimizing mass and maximizing power available for thrust are identified and applied to the LLNL reactor design, resulting in the MFPS. The MFPS' design evolution, reactor and fuel choices, and system configuration are described. Results of the performance comparison shows that the MFPS minimizes flight time to 60 to 90 days for flights to Mars while allowing continuous return-home capability while at Mars. Total MFPS IMLEO including propellant and payloads is kept to about 1,000 metric tons.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States). Center for X-Ray Optics
- OSTI ID:
- 5424337
- Report Number(s):
- N-94-13147; NASA-TM-109248; NAS-1.15:109248; MDC-93H1355; AIAA-Paper-93-2094; CONF-930633-
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Joint AIAA/SAE/ASME propulsion conference, Monterey, CA (United States), 28-30 Jun 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
EVALUATION
MOBILE REACTORS
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
POWER REACTORS
PROPULSION REACTORS
REACTORS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
700400* - Fusion Technology- (1992-)