Combining MHD Airbreathing and Fusion Rocket Propulsion for Earth-to-Orbit Flight

Journal Article · Sun Feb 06 04:00:00 EST 2005 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1867263· OSTI ID:20630570

Froning, Jr, H D ^[1]; Yang, Yang ^[2]; Momota, H ^[3]; Burton, E ^[4]; Miley, G H; Luo, Nie

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1. Flight Unlimited, 5450 Country Club Dr., Flagstaff, AZ 86004 (United States)
2. Fusion Studies Lab, University of Illinois, 103 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 (United States)
3. NPL Associates, 912 W. Armory, Champaign, IL 61821 (United States)
4. Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois, 206b Talbot Lab, 104 S. Wright, Urbana, IL 51801 (United States)

Previous studies have shown that Single-State-to-Orbit (SSTO) vehicle propellant can be reduced by Magnets-Hydro-Dynamic (MHD) processes that minimize airbreathing propulsion losses and propellant consumption during atmospheric flight. Similarly additional reduction in SSTO propellant is enabled by Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) fusion, whose more energetic reactions reduce rocket propellant needs. MHD airbreathing propulsion during an SSTO vehicle's initial atmospheric flight phase and IEC fusion propulsion during its final exo-atmospheric flight phase is therefore being explored. Accomplished work is not yet sufficient for claiming such a vehicle's feasibility. But takeoff and propellant mass for an MHD airbreathing and IEC fusion vehicle could be as much as 25 and 40 percent less than one with ordinary airbreathing and IEC fusion; and as much as 50 and 70 percent less than SSTO takeoff and propellant mass with MHD airbreathing and chemical rocket propulsion. Thus this unusual combined cycle engine shows great promise for performance gains beyond contemporary combined-cycle airbreathing engines.

• OSTI ID: 20630570
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 746; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
COMBINED CYCLES
ENGINES
GAIN
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
LOSSES
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETS
PERFORMANCE
PLASMA
PROPULSION
ROCKETS
SPACE VEHICLES