Laser-fusion rocket for interplanetary propulsion

Conference · Tue Sep 27 04:00:00 UTC 1983

OSTI ID:5619090

Hyde, R A

A rocket powered by fusion microexplosions is well suited for quick interplanetary travel. Fusion pellets are sequentially injected into a magnetic thrust chamber. There, focused energy from a fusion Driver is used to implode and ignite them. Upon exploding, the plasma debris expands into the surrounding magnetic field and is redirected by it, producing thrust. This paper discusses the desired features and operation of the fusion pellet, its Driver, and magnetic thrust chamber. A rocket design is presented which uses slightly tritium-enriched deuterium as the fusion fuel, a high temperature KrF laser as the Driver, and a thrust chamber consisting of a single superconducting current loop protected from the pellet by a radiation shield. This rocket can be operated with a power-to-mass ratio of 110 W gm/sup -1/, which permits missions ranging from occasional 9 day VIP service to Mars, to routine 1 year, 1500 ton, Plutonian cargo runs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5619090
• Report Number(s): UCRL-88857; CONF-8310171-1; ON: DE84001238
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700208* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
DESIGN
DEUTERIUM
FUELS
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
IMPLOSIONS
ISOTOPES
LASER IMPLOSIONS
LASER TARGETS
LIGHT NUCLEI
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
PROPULSION
RADIOISOTOPES
ROCKETS
STABLE ISOTOPES
TARGETS
THERMONUCLEAR FUELS
TRITIUM
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES