Spheromak Fusion Propulsion for Future Solar System Exploration

Fusion propulsion for the exploration of the solar system is investigated. Minimum round-trip times for missions to Europa and Mars are given as a function of power/mass ratio. A preconceptual study of a spheromak-based, deuterium burning, fusion propulsion system is presented. The spheromak is sust...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of propulsion and power 2005-03, Vol.21 (2), p.218-229
Main Authors: Jarboe, T. R, Parker, K. M, Mattick, T. A, Craw, M. M, Gu, P, Hamp, W. T, Hwang, A. A, Izzo, V. A, Jewell, P. D, Kim, H, Melnick, P. A, Sieck, P. E, Takeda, T, Tran, C. T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Fusion propulsion
Spheromaks
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Summary:Fusion propulsion for the exploration of the solar system is investigated. Minimum round-trip times for missions to Europa and Mars are given as a function of power/mass ratio. A preconceptual study of a spheromak-based, deuterium burning, fusion propulsion system is presented. The spheromak is sustained by inductive helicity injection with the diverted edge plasma becoming the rocket exhaust. Power/mass ratios of nearly 2 kW/kg appear possible, giving round-trip times of about 100 day for Mars and about one year for Europa. The vessel mass is 540 t not including fuel, a size suitable for human living. The Isp is optimized for a trip to Europa and a trip to Mars and was found to vary between 10,000 to 40,000 s.
ISSN:0748-4658
1533-3876
DOI:10.2514/1.12085