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We covered Princeton Satellite Systems nuclear fusion space propulsion work last year. Here is some new work and designs.
A paper explores the use of a rocket engine based on nuclear fusion to rendezvous with and move an asteroid. The engine is based on a 5 MW Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) and is presented in the context of a conceptual spacecraft. The transfer orbit to the asteroid is developed along with the strategy for moving the asteroid. The bene t of using the DFD is that it can apply moderate variable thrust with high exhaust velocity, enabling it to reach asteroids more quickly and impart more delta-v than traditional propulsion methods.
The paper is organized as follows. They fi rst provide an overview of the DFD design, with a brief discussion of the fundamental physics behind the technology. The reader is referred to previous publications for a more in-depth presentation. We then examine the threats posed by asteroids of di fferent size, considering their relative likelihood and risk. Next, we discuss the overall mission design. We begin by describing the spacecraft design and concept of operations, followed by a deflection maneuver strategy that is based on achieving a desired relative state in \b-plane" of the encounter. We then present an analysis of the deflection capability for an asteroid half the size of Apophis, and conclude with an example deflection maneuver.
The Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) is comprised of multiple innovations that together yield a safer, more compact, and lighter-weight engine that directly produces a high exhaust velocity and medium thrust, and in addition produces electrical power. The fi eld-reversed con guration (FRC) allows for magnetic con finement with a simpler, more natural geometry for propulsion than, for instance, a tokamak. The increased safety is due to the choice of an aneutronic fuel, D {3He. The plasma is heated by an odd-parity rotating magnetic fi eld (RMFo), which is predicted to promote better energy con nement, hence allow smaller, more stable engines. Other advantages include a small start-up system and a variable thrust propulsion system for more flexible mission designs
Read more »
Reposted via Next Big Future
We covered Princeton Satellite Systems nuclear fusion space propulsion work last year. Here is some new work and designs.
A paper explores the use of a rocket engine based on nuclear fusion to rendezvous with and move an asteroid. The engine is based on a 5 MW Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) and is presented in the context of a conceptual spacecraft. The transfer orbit to the asteroid is developed along with the strategy for moving the asteroid. The bene t of using the DFD is that it can apply moderate variable thrust with high exhaust velocity, enabling it to reach asteroids more quickly and impart more delta-v than traditional propulsion methods.
The paper is organized as follows. They fi rst provide an overview of the DFD design, with a brief discussion of the fundamental physics behind the technology. The reader is referred to previous publications for a more in-depth presentation. We then examine the threats posed by asteroids of di fferent size, considering their relative likelihood and risk. Next, we discuss the overall mission design. We begin by describing the spacecraft design and concept of operations, followed by a deflection maneuver strategy that is based on achieving a desired relative state in \b-plane" of the encounter. We then present an analysis of the deflection capability for an asteroid half the size of Apophis, and conclude with an example deflection maneuver.
The Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) is comprised of multiple innovations that together yield a safer, more compact, and lighter-weight engine that directly produces a high exhaust velocity and medium thrust, and in addition produces electrical power. The fi eld-reversed con guration (FRC) allows for magnetic con finement with a simpler, more natural geometry for propulsion than, for instance, a tokamak. The increased safety is due to the choice of an aneutronic fuel, D {3He. The plasma is heated by an odd-parity rotating magnetic fi eld (RMFo), which is predicted to promote better energy con nement, hence allow smaller, more stable engines. Other advantages include a small start-up system and a variable thrust propulsion system for more flexible mission designs
Read more »
Reposted via Next Big Future
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