Magnetic Fusion Engine

Abstract

A new concept for an interplanetary and interstellar missions is discussed, which is based on a compact spherical tokamak fusion reactor and can potentially revolutionize human space flights by providing safe and affordable in-space transportation. The goal of this paper is an assessment of the concept employing the recent advances in fusion research. This concept, in contrast to other fusion concepts, utilizes the natural drift motion of charged particles in order to create a directed flux of energetic particles. The momentum of either energetic positive particles or fusion neutrons can be used either directly for propulsion or to heat the hydrogen propellant. One-way trip times are expected to be on a short time scale, such as one to three months for the trip to Mars. Both the exhaust velocity and thrust of the engine may be modulated. This permits the engine to be optimized for a wide variety of missions.

Exploration of the solar system and beyond using a thermonuclear fusion drive

“…The idea of using fusion power for spacecraft propulsion has a long history [11][12][13][14], with its support arising from the high energy density of the fuel and the high velocity of the fusion products. Early proponents of fusion rockets that provided steady propulsion based their designs on the fusion devices that are tokamaks [15,16], mirror machines [17] and levitated dipoles [18]. The experimental results of the early period in fusion history indicated that the plasma's anomalous transport, meaning poor plasma energy confinement, Deuterium-Tritium (D-T) burning, large and powerful machines, many meters in diameter, producing over a gigawatt in power and requiring a meter or more of neutron shielding.…”