In space startup method for nuclear fusion rocket engines
Patent
·
OSTI ID:1525050
The invention is for a startup system for nuclear fusion engines in space. The combustion of hydrogen and oxygen produces heat that is used by a heat engine to produce electricity. This can be supplemented by electricity from other operating engines. The exhaust from the combustion is condensed and electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen once the engine is in operation. This provides a constant source of energy for future startups. The engine is started up at partial power in electricity generation mode and this power replaces the power from the combustion as it grows. The combustor uses the same heat engine as the nuclear engine uses for power generation.
- Research Organization:
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-09CH11466
- Assignee:
- Princeton Satellite Systems, Inc. (Plainsboro, NJ); The Trustees of Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)
- Patent Number(s):
- 10,229,756
- Application Number:
- 14/466,425
- OSTI ID:
- 1525050
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 2014-08-22
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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