Fission or fusion for Mars missions

Kammash, T.

doi:10.1016/0094-5765(94)90238-0

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Since the validity of these results depends critically on the performance of the machine as a gasdynamic system, i.e., one for which A//? « L, with A, given by (7) it can be shown that n > 10 15 cm" 3 , T = 10 keV and R > 50 easily satisfy the above condition, and simultaneously yield acceptable lengths. A preliminary engineering design [3] using the configuration shown in Fig.…”

Section: Fig 1 Schematic and Cross-sectional View Of The Gasdynamicmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…In making this assessment we employ simple trajectories based on a constant thrust, continuous burn acceleration/deceleration profiles for which we can use the standard rocket equation to compute the travel time. Under these assumptions the round trip journey time can be written as [7] where D is the one-way linear distance between the points of travel, g the Earth's gravitational acceleration, F the thrust, I sp the specific impulse, and mf the final (dry) mass of the vehicle. For a one-way rendezvous mission the corresponding expression is…”

Section: Fig 1 Schematic and Cross-sectional View Of The Gasdynamicmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fission-assisted or self-sustaining gasdynamic mirror propulsion system

Kammash¹,

Lee²

1996

32nd Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit

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A controlled fusion system that can be achieved with almost present-day or near-term technology is proposed as a propulsion device that could be utilized for interplanetary and interstellar space exploration. It is based on the Gasdynamic Mirror (GDM) which, when operated as a propulsion engine, is capable of producing specific impulses in excess of 200,000 seconds, and thrusts of tens of kilonewtons. This capacity stems from the fact that at a sufficiently high plasma density the collision mean free path is significantly shorter than the machine length, allowing the plasma to behave much like a fluid with confinement properties that are substantially different from those which characterize the standard collisionless mirror. Under these circumstances the plasma escape from the end is analogous to the flow of a fluid into a vacuum from a vessel with a hole. Using an appropriate set of conservation equations we have deduced the plasma parameters that underlie the propulsive capability of GDM. We have also carried out a preliminary engineering analysis to estimate the masses of the major components, and have concluded that such a system can be constructed with present day, or near term technology that has been developed by the world effort in terrestrial fusion power research. When applied to a manned mission to Pluto, it is shown that with GDM a round trip to the outermost planet in the solar system can be done in slightly over four years.

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Section: Fig 1 Schematic and Cross-sectional View Of The Gasdynamicmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Fig 1 Schematic and Cross-sectional View Of The Gasdynamicmentioning

confidence: 99%