A realistic interstellar explorer

McNutt, R. L.; Andrews, G. B.; McAdams, James; Gold, R. E.; Santo, A.; Oursler, Douglas A.; Heeres, K. J.; Fraeman, Martin E.; Williams, Bruce D.

doi:10.1063/1.1302595

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…It is also important to quantitatively determine how absence of measurable electron fluxes by the Voyager 2 plasma instrument beyond the termination shock constrains possible effective temperatures and velocity distributions of electrons. In the longer term, in situ measurement of electrons should be among top priorities for the future Interstellar Probe mission [ Mewaldt and Liewer , ; McNutt et al , , ; Gruntman , ; Fiehler and McNutt, ; Wimmer‐Schweingruber et al , ; McNutt et al , ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interstellar hydrogen ionization in the heliosheath

Gruntman

2015

JGR Space Physics

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The expanding solar wind plasma undergoes a shock transition at the interstellar boundary of the solar system and fills the inner heliosheath, the region between the termination shock and the heliopause. The nonequilibrium heliosheath plasma is a main source of energetic neutral atoms that allow remote probing of the heliospheric interface region. Global models of the heliosphere interaction with the interstellar medium often disregard solar photoionization and electron impact ionization of interstellar gas in the heliosheath. When ionization is included, it is commonly treated in a simplified manner and complexity of heliospheric interactions obscures its effect on the properties of the plasma. This work concentrates on physical estimates of ionization and shows that it may lead to significant mass loading of plasma flows in the heliosheath. In turn, mass loading would slow down plasma flows and deplete populations of nonthermal energetic protons. The magnitude of the effect depends on poorly understood and largely unknown energy transfer to electrons at the termination shock and beyond. The presented estimates show that inclusion of ionization is indispensable for global heliospheric modeling and for interpretation of heliosphere imaging in fluxes of energetic neutral atoms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interstellar hydrogen ionization in the heliosheath

Gruntman

2015

JGR Space Physics

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“…Many other data can be obtained from a mission of this kind [36]. Multiple missions to these destinations have been proposed, both with typical and innovative propulsion systems [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45].…”

Section: Au Destinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploration of trans-Neptunian objects using the Direct Fusion Drive

Aime,

Gajeri,

Kezerashvili

2020

Preprint

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The Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) is a nuclear fusion engine that will provide thrust and electrical power for any spacecraft. It is a compact engine, based on the D -3 He aneutronic fusion reaction that uses the Princeton field reversed configuration for the plasma confinement and an odd parity rotating magnetic field as heating method to achieve nuclear fusion (Cohen et al., 2019), which will heat the deuterium, also used as propellant.In this work we present possibilities to explore the solar system outer border using the DFD. The objective is to reach some trans-Neptunian object, such as the dwarf planets Makemake, Eris and Haumea in less than 10 years with a payload mass of at least of 1500 kg, so that it would enable all kind of missions, from scientific observation to in-situ operations. For each mission a thrust-coast-thrust profile is considered. For this reason, each mission is divided into 3 phases: i. the spiral trajectory to escape Earth gravity; ii. the interplanetary travel, from the exit of Earth sphere of influence to the end of the coasting phase; iii. maneuvers to rendezvous with the dwarf planet. Propellant mass consumption, initial and final masses, velocities and ∆V for each maneuver are presented. Calculations to reach a vicinity at 125 AU for the study of Sun magnetosphere as well as Eris via flyby are also presented, with interest on the influence of different acceleration phases.Our calculations show that a spacecraft propelled by DFD will open unprecedented possibilities to explore the border of the solar system, in a limited amount of time and with a very high payload to propellant masses ratio.

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“…What, then, is realistic to expect from today's technology in fueled vehicles? Ralph McNutt and his team at the Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins have designed what they call a “realistic interstellar explorer” that would use a so‐called Sundiver maneuver to approach within four solar radii, igniting a rocket burn at perihelion using either a scaled‐down Orion approach (with small‐scale nuclear explosions set off behind the vehicle) or a form of solar/thermal propulsion using thermal energy from the Sun to heat a working fluid—probably liquid hydrogen—to high temperature 13–15…”

Section: The Rocket Dilemmamentioning

confidence: 99%

The Interstellar Conundrum: A Survey of Concepts and Proposed Solutions

Gilster¹

2005

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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Once considered intractable, the problem of interstellar flight is slowly yielding to analysis. Although manned missions to the stars are exceedingly improbable in this century, the possibility of interstellar robotic probes should not be ruled out. Recent laboratory work and theoretical analysis suggest several near-term technologies that could, given the development of an adequate space-based infrastructure, provide the needed propulsion. Laser-driven lightsails offer the key advantage of leaving the fuel behind, with the laser beam focused by a large Fresnel lens in the outer Solar System. Perhaps more efficient is the use of a particle beam to boost a spacecraft by interacting with its magnetic sail, the latter a system already under intense scrutiny. Variations on "pellet" propulsion using macroscopic objects continue to surface, their mass converted to energy as they arrive at the departing starship. Interstellar flight will be both difficult and expensive, although it can no longer be considered an impossibility. This paper examines the above concepts and relates them to older ideas, such as the Bussard ramjet, that are currently out of favor. The vibrancy of interstellar flight studies is its syncretism-it was through analysis of the drag problem in fusion ramjet designs that a practical means of decelerating an interstellar probe by deployment of a magnetic sail emerged. The intermingling of such ideas offers the hope of robust hybrid concepts that may make interstellar flight a reality.

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A realistic interstellar explorer

Cited by 11 publications

References 8 publications

Interstellar hydrogen ionization in the heliosheath

Interstellar hydrogen ionization in the heliosheath

Exploration of trans-Neptunian objects using the Direct Fusion Drive

The Interstellar Conundrum: A Survey of Concepts and Proposed Solutions

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