Lunar Source of<sup>3</sup>He for Commercial Fusion Power

Wittenberg, L.J.; Santarius, J. F.; Kulcinski, G.L.

doi:10.13182/fst86-a24972

Cited by 226 publications

(100 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…9 Effectiveness is the ratio of heat transfer in the heat exchanger to the maximum possible heat transfer while NTU is a heat exchanger's total thermal conductance ( ) over its capacitance rate, ̇, as seen in Eq. (2). Total thermal conductance is the inverse of total thermal resistance ( ) and the capacitance rate is simply the product of the mass flow rate and the specific heat ( ) of the regolith.…”

Section: Small Scale Heat Pipe Heat Exchangermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…15 These curves are referred to as Paschen curves. For helium ions to implant in regolith simulant with approximately the same average energy as the helium ions do on the lunar surface 2 , an ~8 kV potential is required. Using this as the breakdown voltage, a pressure-distance product ( ) can be determined from Eqs.…”

Section: Implantation Of Helium Into Regolith Simulantmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The seminal article tying lunar 3 He to fusion development was published by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Fusion Technology Institute (FTI) in 1986. 2 Three designs of lunar 3 He miners have been developed at the FTI: the Mark-I, II, and III (M-1 through M-3). [3][4][5] The…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Design of a Lunar Solar Wind Volatiles Extraction System

Olson

Santarius

Kulcinski

2015

Proc. Wisc. Space Conf.

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Two devices are being developed as part of a project to demonstrate the extraction of helium-3 and other volatiles from lunar regolith. The first is an implantation system to embed helium ions into JSC-1A lunar regolith simulant and the second is a counter flow heat pipe heat exchanger for the subsequent diffusion of the helium out of the regolith. This will simulate the previously proposed acquisition of helium-3 from the Moon for use in nuclear fusion reactors on Earth. Preliminary designs of both of these systems are discussed. 1

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Section: Small Scale Heat Pipe Heat Exchangermentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Implantation Of Helium Into Regolith Simulantmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Design of a Lunar Solar Wind Volatiles Extraction System

Olson

Santarius

Kulcinski

2015

Proc. Wisc. Space Conf.

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“…The predominantly charged-particle energy output allows thrust to be produced directly by the plasma exhaust without recourse to inefficient conversion of heat to electricity to drive ion engines. Also, it is known that, through eons of solar-wind deposition, 3 He is abundantly available on the moon [4].…”

Section: -Magnetic Dipolementioning

confidence: 99%

Fusion reactions and matter–antimatter annihilation for space propulsion

Deutsch

Tahir

2006

Laser Part. Beams

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RÉSUMÉ : La fusion par confinement magnétique (FCM) et la fusion par confinement inertiel (FCI) sont comparées dans le contexte de missions à longue distance, à travers le système solaire. Ces deux approches montrent des capacités manoeuvrières bien supérieures, à celles de la propulsion cryogénique standard (PCS). Les contraintes de coût sont bien inférieures à celles exigées par la production d'énergie, au sol. Un problème crucial est celui du décollage (problématique des 300 premiers kms), étant donné les risques de pollution radioactive de la basse atmosphère. Il est recommandé d'assembler le vaisseau spatial à haute altitude ~ 700 kms, ou mieux, sur la lune. En ce qui concerne les impulsions spécifiques en sec, on s'attend à 500-3000 pour la fission, et jusqu'à 10 4 -10 5 pour la fusion deuterium + tritium.Enfin, on aborde la réaction de fusion la plus performante, l'annihilation pp avec I sp (sec) ~ 10 3 -10 6 et un rapport poussée/poids ~ 10 -3 -1. Production et coûts sont détaillés, autant que possible. Ces derniers pourraient être réduits de quatre ordres de grandeur, si la fusion contrôlée devenait économiquement viable.On discute plusieurs schémas de propulsion par annihilation matière-antimatière. On accorde une certaine attention à la propulsion par fusion inertielle et catalysée par annihilation de p , et en particulier, au projet ICAN-II, potentiellement en mesure d'atteindre Mars en 30 jours en utilisant une fusion catalysée par 140 ng de p avec une impulsion spécifique ~ 13500 sec.ABSTRACT: Magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) and inertial confinement fusion (ICF are critically contrasted in the context of far-distant travels throughout solar system.Both are shown to potentially display superior capabilities for vessel maneuvring at high speed, which are unmatched by standard cryogenic propulsion (SCP).Costs constraints seem less demanding than for ground-based power plants. Main issue is the highly problematic takeoff from earth, in view of safety hazards concomitant to ratioactive spills in case of emergency. So, it is recommended to assemble the given powered vessel at high earth altitude ~ 700 km, above upper atmosphere.

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“…In 1986, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) made the connection that helium-3 (a light isotope of helium) embedded in the lunar soil from the solar wind could be used to fuel nuclear fusion reactors that produce power without any radioactive waste (Wittenberg et al 1986). Since then, research on the physics of producing power from two different helium-3 ( 3 He) fusion reactions has taken place along with research on the technology required to extract and collect 3 He from the loosely bound lunar top soil (or regolith) at the UWMadison Fusion Technology Institute (FTI).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Progress in Lunar Helium-3 Extraction Research

Olson

2016

Proc. Wisc. Space Conf.

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Research is ongoing to develop a prototype lunar volatiles extraction system that will demonstrate a process for acquiring helium-3 for future fusion power plants that would produce little to no radioactive waste, and other volatile gases that can be used for life support in space. The prototype system is called the Helium Extraction and Acquisition Test bed (HEAT). Testing of HEAT will focus on obtaining information on the rate of 3 He extraction possible and to what extent thermal energy recovery can be employed in this kind of volatile extraction system.

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Lunar Source of³He for Commercial Fusion Power

Cited by 226 publications

References 12 publications

Design of a Lunar Solar Wind Volatiles Extraction System

Design of a Lunar Solar Wind Volatiles Extraction System

Fusion reactions and matter–antimatter annihilation for space propulsion

Recent Progress in Lunar Helium-3 Extraction Research

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Lunar Source of3He for Commercial Fusion Power

Cited by 226 publications

References 12 publications

Design of a Lunar Solar Wind Volatiles Extraction System

Design of a Lunar Solar Wind Volatiles Extraction System

Fusion reactions and matter–antimatter annihilation for space propulsion

Recent Progress in Lunar Helium-3 Extraction Research

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Lunar Source of³He for Commercial Fusion Power