Fundamental Architecture and Performance Analysis of Photofission Pulsed Space  Propulsion System Using Ultra-Intense Laser

LeMoyne, Robert; Mastroianni, Timothy

doi:10.4236/jamp.2015.34055

Cited by 4 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 23 publications

(43 reference statements)

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“…Also, photofission is far more scalable than a thermonuclear device. For example, LeMoyne and Mastroianni have conceptually demonstrated a pulsed propulsion configuration incorporating photofission through the use of an ultra-intense laser [2].…”

Section: Project Orion: a Historical Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

“…A considerable quantity of energy is also yielded through the nuclear fission reaction. The energy yield can be derived based on the mass defect of the nuclear reaction [2] [7] [8].…”

Section: Photofissionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Instead of utilizing a large magnitude thermonuclear detonation to provide a velocity increment, photofission by means of an ultra-intense laser is applied. A notable advantage of photofission is the ultra-intense laser derived activation and scalable yield [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Upon the pulsed space propulsion system reaching a thermal threshold from antimatter annihilation or photofission, a prescribed pulse of propulsive fluid, such as hydrogen is released. The activation through an ultra-intense laser system enables a decoupling between the location of the propulsion system and laser energy source [1] [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Antimatter and photofission pulsed space propulsion configurations have been proposed and conceptualized by LeMoyne and Mastroianni. The foundation to the initiation of these two types of non-chemical propulsion is the operation of an ultra-intense laser system [1] [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Project New Orion: Pulsed Nuclear Space Propulsion Using Photofission Activated by Ultra-Intense Laser

LeMoyne¹,

Mastroianni²

2016

JAMP

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Project New Orion entails a pulsed nuclear space propulsion system that utilizes photofission through the implementation of an ultra-intense laser. The historical origins derive from the endeavors of Project Orion, which utilized thermonuclear devices to impart a considerable velocity increment on the respective spacecraft. The shear magnitude of Project Orion significantly detracts from the likelihood of progressive research development testing and evaluation. Project New Orion incorporates a more feasible pathway for the progressive research development testing and evaluation of the pulsed nuclear space propulsion system. Photofission through the application of an ultra-intense laser enables a much more controllable and scalable nuclear yield. The energy source for the ultra-intense laser is derived from a first stage liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen chemical propulsion system. A portion of the thermal/kinetic energy of the rocket propulsive fluid is converted to electrical energy through a magneto-hydrodynamic generator with cryogenic propellant densification for facilitating the integral superconducting magnets. Fundamental analysis of Project New Orion demonstrates the capacity to impart a meaningful velocity increment through ultra-intense laser derived photofission on a small spacecraft.

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Section: Project Orion: a Historical Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

“…A considerable quantity of energy is also yielded through the nuclear fission reaction. The energy yield can be derived based on the mass defect of the nuclear reaction [2] [7] [8].…”

Section: Photofissionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Project New Orion: Pulsed Nuclear Space Propulsion Using Photofission Activated by Ultra-Intense Laser

LeMoyne¹,

Mastroianni²

2016

JAMP

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Fundamental Architecture and Analysis of Photofission Ramjet Propulsion

LeMoyne¹,

Mastroianni²

2015

20th AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference

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The ramjet demonstrates considerable utility for air-breathing propulsion systems. The ramjet benefits from air-breathing performance and minimal complexity in terms of moving parts. The conventional ramjet system functions based on stored chemical propellant. However, non-chemical strategies of imparting energy to the propulsive fluid, such as nuclear fission offer the advantage of increased energy density relative to chemical schemes. The concept of incorporating nuclear fission into a ramjet propulsion system has been a subject of interest from a historical perspective. Traditional fission occurs through neutrons with an appropriate kinetic energy interacting with heavy nuclei, such as uranium. However, there are many issues inherent with neutron-initiated fission. The fission reactions must be sustained by a source of neutrons with suitable kinetic energy. Neutron moderation involves the additional incorporation of various materials for modifying their respective energy kinetic levels, which can negatively impact the propulsion system in terms of both mass and system complexity. Therefore, photofission constitutes a paradigm shift relative to traditional neutron initiated nuclear fission. The proposed architecture advocates photofission derived by an ultra-intense laser as an energy source for the propulsive fluid of a ramjet. The primary physics that elucidate the phenomena of photofission are comprehensively entailed. With the foundation of the physics describing photofission presented, a fundamental analysis of the proposed photofission ramjet is incorporated. A suitable application for a photofission ramjet propulsion system would be integral with an Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle (UAV). The resulting fundamental analysis of the photofission ramjet successfully demonstrates potential feasibility for future research, development, test, and evaluation.

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Positron Induced Fusion Pulsed Space Propulsion through an Ultra-Intense Laser

LeMoyne¹

2017

JAMP

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A pulsed space propulsion system using position antimatter to induce Deuterium-Tritium fusion through an ultra-intense laser incident on a gold target is conceptually presented through fundamental performance analysis. As opposed to traditional strategies positron antimatter is considered rather than antiproton antimatter. Positron antimatter can be produced by an ultraintense laser incident on a high atomic number target, such as gold. The ultra-intense laser production of positron antimatter mechanism greatly alleviates constraints, such as requirements for antimatter storage imperative for antiproton antimatter. Also the ultra-intense laser and associated energy source can be stationary or positioned remote while the pulsed space propulsion system using position antimatter to induce Deuterium-Tritium fusion is in flight. Various mechanisms for antimatter catalyzed fusion are considered, for which the preferred mechanism is the antiproton hotspot ignition strategy. Fundamental performance analysis is subsequently applied to derive positron antimatter generation requirements and associated propulsion performance. The characteristics of the pulsed space propulsion system using position antimatter to induce Deuterium-Tritium fusion through an ultra-intense laser incident on a gold target imply a promising non-chemical propulsion alternative for the transport of bulk cargo to support space missions.

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Fundamental Architecture and Performance Analysis of Photofission Pulsed Space Propulsion System Using Ultra-Intense Laser

Cited by 4 publications

References 23 publications

Project New Orion: Pulsed Nuclear Space Propulsion Using Photofission Activated by Ultra-Intense Laser

Project New Orion: Pulsed Nuclear Space Propulsion Using Photofission Activated by Ultra-Intense Laser

Fundamental Architecture and Analysis of Photofission Ramjet Propulsion

Positron Induced Fusion Pulsed Space Propulsion through an Ultra-Intense Laser

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