70:
1945:
1577:
319:(MTF) is a relatively new approach that combines the best features of the more widely studied magnetic confinement fusion (i.e. good energy confinement) and inertial confinement fusion (i.e. efficient compression heating and wall free containment of the fusing plasma) approaches. Like the magnetic approach, the fusion fuel is confined at low density by magnetic fields while it is heated into a
2325:
36:
146:). An electric generator running on fusion power could drive such a ship. One disadvantage is that conventional electricity production requires a low-temperature energy sink, which is difficult (i.e. heavy) in a spacecraft. Direct conversion of the kinetic energy of fusion products into electricity mitigates this problem.
323:, but like the inertial confinement approach, fusion is initiated by rapidly squeezing the target to dramatically increase fuel density, and thus temperature. MTF uses "plasma guns" (i.e. electromagnetic acceleration techniques) instead of powerful lasers, leading to low cost and low weight compact reactors. The NASA/
186:
in a reactor. The resulting energy release could expel propellant out the back of the spacecraft. Helium-3 is proposed as a power source for spacecraft mainly because of its lunar abundance. Scientists estimate that 1 million tons of accessible helium-3 are present on the moon. Only 20% of the power
331:
using 106-165 metric tons of propellant (hydrogen plus either D-T or D-He3 fusion fuel) in 249–330 days. This design would thus be considerably smaller and more fuel efficient due to its higher exhaust velocity (700 km/s) than the previously mentioned "Discovery II", "VISTA" concepts.
291:
reaction could be used to maximize the energy in charged particles and to minimize radiation, but it is highly questionable whether using these reactions is technically feasible. Both the detailed design studies in the 1970s, the
187:
produced by the D-T reaction could be used this way; while the other 80% is released as neutrons which, because they cannot be directed by magnetic fields or solid walls, would be difficult to direct towards thrust, and
149:
One attractive possibility is to direct the fusion exhaust out the back of the rocket to provide thrust without the intermediate production of electricity. This would be easier with some confinement schemes (e.g.
617:
Adams, R. B.; Alexander, R. A.; Chapman, J. M.; Fincher, S. S.; Hopkins, R. C.; Philips, A. D.; Polsgrove, T. T.; Litchford, R. J.; Patton, B. W.; Statham, G.; White, P. S.; Thio, Y. C. F. (November 2003).
388:
to catalyze a fission and fusion reaction, allowing much smaller fusion explosions to be created. During the 1990s an abortive design effort was conducted at Penn State
University under the name
235:
proposed in 2001 a small aspect ratio spherical torus reactor for its "Discovery II" conceptual vehicle design. "Discovery II" could deliver a crewed 172 metric tons payload to
833:
356:
has defined a 500-tonne "Fusion Ship II" concept capable of delivering a 100,000 kg crewed payload to
Jupiter's moon Europa in 210 days. Fusion Ship II utilizes
816:
1981:
911:
126:
prohibits the use of such bombs. For that reason bomb-based rockets would likely be limited to operating only in space. An alternate approach uses electrical (e.g.
2112:
1307:
874:
392:. The project would require more antimatter than can currently be produced. In addition, some technical hurdles need to be surpassed before it would be feasible.
203:
96:
without the need to carry a large fuel supply. The design requires fusion power technology beyond current capabilities, and much larger and more complex rockets.
202:
Even if a self-sustaining fusion reaction cannot be produced, it might be possible to use fusion to boost the efficiency of another propulsion system, such as a
1640:
1425:
381:
300:
and NASA studied an ICF-powered "Vehicle for
Interplanetary Transport Applications" (VISTA). The conical VISTA spacecraft could deliver a 100-tonne payload to
1613:
327:
Human Outer
Planets Exploration (HOPE) group has investigated a crewed MTF propulsion spacecraft capable of delivering a 164-tonne payload to Jupiter's moon
142:
require electric power to run, but are highly efficient. In some cases their thrust is limited by the amount of power that can be generated (for example, a
1046:
487:
636:
600:
526:
368:
published a series of technical articles discussing its application to spaceflight throughout the 1990s. His work was popularised by an article in the
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654:
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553:
297:
69:
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457:
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341:
119:
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1302:
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369:
219:
To sustain a fusion reaction, the plasma must be confined. The most widely studied configuration for terrestrial fusion is the
123:
854:
1967:
1328:
1193:
897:
544:
308:(D-T) fusion fuel would be required, plus 4,124 tonnes of hydrogen expellant. The exhaust velocity would be 157 km/s.
110:, while its main disadvantage is the (likely) large mass of the reactor. A fusion rocket may produce less radiation than a
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2295:
2107:
1432:
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1256:
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806:
774:
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thrusters (343 km/s exhaust velocity) powered by ten D-He3 IEC fusion reactors. The concept would need 300 tonnes of
2140:
850:
628:
592:
324:
866:
1948:
1844:
1599:
268:
224:
832:
Cassibry, Jason; Cortez, Ross; Stanic, Milos; Seidler, William; Adams, Rob; Statham, Geoff; Fabisinski, Leo (2012).
2351:
2300:
2236:
2283:
2243:
1798:
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1387:
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255:(D-He3) fusion fuel. The hydrogen is heated by the fusion plasma debris to increase thrust, at a cost of reduced
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2005:
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1990:
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522:
304:
orbit and return to Earth in 130 days, or to
Jupiter orbit and back in 403 days. 41 tonnes of deuterium/
232:
93:
665:
372:
publication, where Tom Ligon described how the fusor would make for a highly effective fusion rocket.
2231:
2194:
2174:
1925:
1223:
1218:
1122:
1036:
727:
275:. A small pellet of fusion fuel (with a diameter of a couple of millimeters) would be ignited by an
50:
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rocket, reducing the shielding mass needed. The simplest way of building a fusion rocket is to use
1576:
2305:
1731:
1622:
1581:
1547:
1512:
1352:
655:"Fusion Ship II - A Fast Manned Interplanetary Space Vehicle Using Inertial Electrostatic Fusion"
424:
54:
512:
Williams, Craig H.; Dudzinski, Leonard A.; Borowski, Stanley K.; Juhasz, Albert J. (July 2001).
227:. Currently tokamaks weigh a great deal, so the thrust to weight ratio would seem unacceptable.
449:
1890:
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1497:
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107:
743:
1174:
978:
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778:
328:
151:
111:
867:"The Fusion Driven Rocket: Nuclear Propulsion through Direct Conversion of Fusion Energy"
450:"This Scientist Says He's Built a Jet Engine That Turns Electricity Directly Into Thrust"
731:
653:
Webber, J.; Burton, R. L.; Momota, H.; Richardson, N.; Shaban, Y.; Miley, G. H. (2003).
2278:
2052:
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1143:
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1031:
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276:
115:
515:
Realizing "2001: A Space
Odyssey": Piloted Spherical Torus Nuclear Fusion Propulsion
2214:
2087:
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2037:
2014:
1930:
1920:
1803:
1655:
1522:
1481:
1454:
1213:
1009:
1004:
139:
127:
17:
760:
Schmidt, G. R.; Gerrish, H. P.; Martin, J. J.; Smith, G. A.; Meyer, K. J. (1999).
664:, U-C, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering. Archived from
621:
Conceptual Design of In-Space
Vehicles for Human Exploration of the Outer Planets
2209:
2204:
2032:
1854:
1537:
1532:
1338:
707:"AIMStar: Antimatter Initiated Microfusion For Pre-cursor Interstellar Missions"
557:
352:
variation under development by Energy-Matter
Conversion Corporation (EMC2). The
293:
143:
691:
130:) propulsion with electric power generated by fusion instead of direct thrust.
2169:
2119:
1557:
1014:
385:
357:
192:
552:. 9th International Conference on Emerging Nuclear Energy Systems. Tel Aviv:
2199:
287:
forms the pusher plate. In principle, the Helium-3-Deuterium reaction or an
252:
183:
705:
Lewis, Raymond A.; Meyer, Kirby; Smith, Gerald A.; Howe, Steven D. (1999).
419:
349:
248:
244:
167:
163:
1959:
889:
1763:
1333:
966:
389:
305:
236:
220:
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155:
103:
is one approach to using nuclear fusion energy to provide propulsion.
1864:
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956:
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240:
175:
85:
1716:
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68:
870:
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301:
228:
74:
1963:
1595:
893:
546:
Interplanetary Space
Transport Using Inertial Fusion Propulsion
296:
and
Project Daedalus, used inertial confinement. In the 1980s,
1773:
684:"The World's Simplest Fusion Reactor: And How to Make It Work"
29:
763:
Antimatter Production for Near-term Propulsion Applications
199:, which can be produced from deuterium, lithium, or boron.
364:
propellant for a 1-year round trip to the Jupiter system.
340:
Another popular confinement concept for fusion rockets is
259:(348–463 km/s) and hence increased propellant mass.
158:). It is also more attractive for "advanced fuels" (see
585:
Magnetized Target Fusion in Advanced Propulsion Researc
690:. Vol. 118, no. 12. New York. Archived from
92:
propulsion that could provide efficient and sustained
556:(published July 1998). UCRL-JC-129237. Archived from
2162:
2128:
2073:
2013:
2004:
1997:
1903:
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1131:
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1062:
1055:
992:
927:
835:
The Case and Development Path for Fusion Propulsion
865:Slough, John (25 March 2019). Hall, Loura (ed.).
122:, but such a spacecraft would be massive and the
521:. 37th Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit.
267:The main alternative to magnetic confinement is
430:Rocket propulsion technologies (disambiguation)
1975:
1641:Antimatter-catalyzed nuclear pulse propulsion
1607:
905:
525:(published March 2005). NASA/TM—2005-213559.
382:antimatter-catalyzed nuclear pulse propulsion
8:
807:"Nuclear fusion could power NASA spacecraft"
2324:
2010:
2001:
1982:
1968:
1960:
1821:
1633:
1614:
1600:
1592:
1357:
1198:
1059:
912:
898:
890:
408:MSNW Magneto-Inertial Fusion Driven Rocket
106:Fusion's main advantage is its very high
73:A schematic of a fusion-driven rocket by
1324:Atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion
134:Electricity generation vs. direct thrust
805:Graham-Rowe, Duncan (23 January 2003).
440:
2180:Differential technological development
554:Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
298:Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
170:atoms as a power source. Helium-3, an
138:Spacecraft propulsion methods such as
27:Rocket driven by nuclear fusion power
7:
1809:Status-6 Oceanic Multipurpose System
642:from the original on 31 August 2023.
493:from the original on 31 January 2023
380:A still more speculative concept is
2269:Future-oriented technology analysis
1845:Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion program
853:, ERC Inc., ISS Inc. Archived from
819:from the original on 31 August 2023
481:"Moon's Helium-3 Could Power Earth"
460:from the original on 31 August 2023
247:propellant, plus 11 metric tons of
166:propulsion would use the fusion of
1229:Field-emission electric propulsion
633:United States Department of Energy
342:inertial electrostatic confinement
25:
1303:Microwave electrothermal thruster
688:Analog Science Fiction & Fact
606:from the original on 19 May 2023.
532:from the original on 4 July 2023.
479:Wakefield, Julie (30 June 2000).
448:Robitzski, Dan (7 October 2020).
2323:
1944:
1943:
1575:
877:from the original on 1 June 2023
404: – Conceptual rocket engine
271:(ICF), such as that proposed by
34:
370:Analog Science Fiction and Fact
124:Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
1433:Pulsed nuclear thermal rocket
1329:High Power Electric Propulsion
283:. To produce direct thrust, a
84:is a theoretical design for a
1:
2357:Nuclear spacecraft propulsion
2296:Technology in science fiction
1288:Helicon double-layer thruster
1257:Electrodeless plasma thruster
1252:Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster
775:Pennsylvania State University
740:10.1016/S0094-5765(99)00046-6
724:Pennsylvania State University
543:Orth, C. D. (20 April 1998).
189:may in turn require shielding
2141:Laser communication in space
851:Marshall Space Flight Center
682:Ligon, Tom (December 1998).
629:Marshall Space Flight Center
593:Marshall Space Flight Center
239:in 118 days (or 212 days to
269:inertial confinement fusion
243:) using 861 metric tons of
225:magnetic confinement fusion
191:. Helium-3 is produced via
43:It has been suggested that
2383:
2301:Technology readiness level
2237:Technological unemployment
2319:
2284:Technological singularity
2244:Technological convergence
1939:
1881:Tupolev Tu-95LAL / Tu-119
1824:
1799:Nuclear marine propulsion
1686:Nuclear salt-water rocket
1636:
1573:
1247:Pulsed inductive thruster
154:) than with others (e.g.
60:Proposed since July 2024.
2146:Orbital propellant depot
2103:Plasma propulsion engine
2098:Nuclear pulse propulsion
1829:Nuclear-powered aircraft
1681:Nuclear pulse propulsion
1421:Nuclear pulse propulsion
1180:Electric-pump-fed engine
1080:Hybrid-propellant rocket
1070:Liquid-propellant rocket
317:Magnetized target fusion
210:Confinement alternatives
101:nuclear pulse propulsion
2367:Hypothetical technology
2249:Technological evolution
2222:Exploratory engineering
2083:Beam-powered propulsion
2065:Reusable launch vehicle
1676:Nuclear photonic rocket
1671:Nuclear electric rocket
1666:Gas core reactor rocket
1651:Fission-fragment rocket
1477:Beam-powered propulsion
1450:Fission-fragment rocket
1405:Nuclear photonic rocket
1373:Nuclear electric rocket
1139:Staged combustion cycle
1075:Solid-propellant rocket
635:. NASA/TP—2003–212691.
346:Farnsworth-Hirsch Fusor
2259:Technology forecasting
2254:Technological paradigm
2227:Proactionary principle
2028:Non-rocket spacelaunch
1691:Nuclear thermal rocket
1528:Non-rocket spacelaunch
1378:Nuclear thermal rocket
1278:Pulsed plasma thruster
662:University of Illinois
582:Cylar, Rashad (2002).
354:University of Illinois
344:(IEC), such as in the
336:Inertial electrostatic
182:, could be fused with
77:
46:Nuclear thermal rocket
2185:Disruptive innovation
1991:Emerging technologies
1769:TOPAZ nuclear reactor
1194:Electrical propulsion
921:Spacecraft propulsion
843:University of Alabama
597:University of Alabama
523:Glenn Research Center
233:Glenn Research Center
94:acceleration in space
72:
2232:Technological change
2175:Collingridge dilemma
1926:Ford Seattle-ite XXI
1426:Antimatter-catalyzed
1224:Hall-effect thruster
1037:Solar thermal rocket
860:on 14 November 2012.
841:(Technical report).
769:(Technical report).
627:(Technical report).
591:(Technical report).
396:Development projects
53:into this article. (
2289:Technology scouting
2264:Accelerating change
2136:Interstellar travel
1696:Radioisotope rocket
1368:Direct Fusion Drive
1283:Vacuum arc thruster
1170:Pressure-fed engine
1149:Gas-generator cycle
1056:Chemical propulsion
993:Physical propulsion
732:1999AcAau..44..183G
563:on 15 December 2011
402:Direct Fusion Drive
174:of helium with two
18:Helium-3 propulsion
2306:Technology roadmap
1732:Project Prometheus
1623:Nuclear propulsion
1582:Spaceflight portal
1548:Reactionless drive
1513:Aerogravity assist
1353:Nuclear propulsion
425:Nuclear propulsion
384:, which would use
78:
2352:Rocket propulsion
2339:
2338:
2158:
2157:
2154:
2153:
1957:
1956:
1899:
1898:
1891:9M730 Burevestnik
1787:
1786:
1589:
1588:
1543:Atmospheric entry
1498:Orbital mechanics
1465:
1464:
1347:
1346:
1298:Resistojet rocket
1188:
1187:
1163:Intake mechanisms
1096:Liquid propellant
1000:Cold gas thruster
749:on June 16, 2014.
715:Acta Astronautica
312:Magnetized target
289:aneutronic fusion
160:aneutronic fusion
67:
66:
62:
16:(Redirected from
2374:
2327:
2326:
2274:Horizon scanning
2190:Ephemeralization
2108:Helicon thruster
2093:Laser propulsion
2011:
2002:
1984:
1977:
1970:
1961:
1947:
1946:
1886:Myasishchev M-60
1822:
1748:Project Daedalus
1722:Project Longshot
1634:
1616:
1609:
1602:
1593:
1579:
1563:Alcubierre drive
1553:Field propulsion
1503:Orbital maneuver
1491:Related concepts
1358:
1209:Colloid thruster
1199:
1060:
962:Specific impulse
914:
907:
900:
891:
886:
884:
882:
861:
859:
840:
828:
826:
824:
793:
792:
790:
789:
783:
777:. Archived from
768:
757:
751:
750:
748:
742:. Archived from
711:
702:
696:
695:
679:
673:
672:
671:on 17 June 2012.
670:
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273:Project Daedalus
257:exhaust velocity
152:magnetic mirrors
108:specific impulse
58:
38:
37:
30:
21:
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1409:
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1312:
1266:
1240:Electromagnetic
1235:
1184:
1175:Pump-fed engine
1158:
1127:
1084:
1051:
988:
979:Rocket equation
945:Reaction engine
923:
918:
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857:
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831:
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118:as proposed in
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28:
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11:
5:
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2053:Space fountain
2050:
2048:Space elevator
2045:
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2035:
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2019:
2017:
2008:
1999:
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1850:Convair NB-36H
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1646:Bussard ramjet
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1123:Tripropellant
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1027:Electric sail
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812:New Scientist
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784:on 2007-03-06
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120:Project Orion
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82:fusion rocket
76:
71:
61:
56:
52:
48:
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41:
32:
31:
19:
2362:Fusion power
2328:
2215:Robot ethics
2088:Ion thruster
2058:Space tether
2038:Orbital ring
2022:
1931:Simca Fulgur
1921:Ford Nucleon
1804:Nuclear navy
1660:
1656:Fission sail
1580:
1523:Space launch
1455:Fission sail
1437:
1383:Radioisotope
1214:Ion thruster
1132:Power cycles
1118:Bipropellant
1010:Steam rocket
1005:Water rocket
879:. Retrieved
855:the original
834:
821:. Retrieved
810:
786:. Retrieved
779:the original
762:
755:
744:the original
719:
713:
700:
692:the original
687:
677:
666:the original
648:
631:, ERC Inc.,
620:
612:
584:
577:
565:. Retrieved
558:the original
545:
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495:. Retrieved
474:
462:. Retrieved
453:
443:
379:
339:
315:
266:
223:, a form of
218:
201:
148:
137:
105:
98:
81:
79:
59:
44:
2279:Moore's law
2210:Neuroethics
2205:Cyberethics
2033:Mass driver
1874:USSR/Russia
1855:Convair X-6
1792:Sea vessels
1757:USSR/Russia
1538:Aerocapture
1533:Aerobraking
1414:Open system
1398:"Lightbulb"
1339:Mass driver
1089:Propellants
1020:Diffractive
726:: 183–186.
567:4 September
294:Orion drive
144:mass driver
2346:Categories
2170:Automation
2120:Solar sail
2075:Propulsion
1630:Spacecraft
1558:Warp drive
1388:Salt-water
1106:Hypergolic
1015:Solar sail
788:2013-05-24
436:References
386:antimatter
376:Antimatter
358:ion rocket
193:beta decay
88:driven by
2200:Bioethics
1101:Cryogenic
881:15 August
823:15 August
497:3 October
464:19 August
253:Deuterium
184:deuterium
1949:Category
1818:Aircraft
1393:Gas core
928:Concepts
875:Archived
817:Archived
637:Archived
601:Archived
527:Archived
488:Archived
458:Archived
454:Futurism
420:Helium-3
414:See also
350:Polywell
329:Callisto
263:Inertial
249:Helium-3
245:hydrogen
215:Magnetic
206:engine.
178:and one
168:helium-3
164:Helium-3
156:tokamaks
2043:Skyhook
1764:RD-0410
1482:Tethers
1334:MagBeam
1219:Gridded
974:Staging
967:Delta-v
728:Bibcode
722:(2–4).
390:AIMStar
348:or the
306:tritium
237:Jupiter
221:tokamak
197:tritium
180:neutron
176:protons
172:isotope
112:fission
99:Fusion
55:Discuss
2195:Ethics
2163:Topics
2113:VASIMR
2015:Launch
1998:Fields
1904:Ground
1865:WS-125
1308:VASIMR
957:Thrust
935:Rocket
847:Boeing
773:&
321:plasma
241:Saturn
204:VASIMR
90:fusion
86:rocket
51:merged
2129:Other
1717:NERVA
1317:Other
1063:State
858:(PDF)
839:(PDF)
782:(PDF)
767:(PDF)
747:(PDF)
710:(PDF)
669:(PDF)
658:(PDF)
640:(PDF)
625:(PDF)
604:(PDF)
589:(PDF)
561:(PDF)
550:(PDF)
530:(PDF)
519:(PDF)
491:(PDF)
484:(PDF)
362:argon
281:laser
279:or a
2330:List
1047:WINE
883:2021
871:NASA
825:2021
771:NASA
569:2011
499:2010
466:2023
325:MSFC
302:Mars
229:NASA
75:NASA
1779:TEM
1774:TMK
736:doi
231:'s
195:of
162:).
128:ion
49:be
2348::
1838:US
1741:UK
1705:US
873:.
869:.
849:,
845:,
815:.
809:.
734:.
720:44
718:.
712:.
686:.
660:.
599:.
486:.
456:.
452:.
80:A
1983:e
1976:t
1969:v
1615:e
1608:t
1601:v
913:e
906:t
899:v
885:.
827:.
791:.
738::
730::
595:/
571:.
501:.
468:.
251:-
57:)
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
