Combining MHD Airbreathing and Fusion Rocket Propulsion for Earth-to-Orbit Flight

• Published in: AIP conference proceedings 2005-01, Vol.746 (1)
• Main Authors: Froning, H. D. Jr, Yang, Yang, Momota, H., Burton, E., Miley, G. H., Luo, Nie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; COMBINED CYCLES; ENGINES; GAIN; INERTIAL CONFINEMENT; LOSSES; MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS; MAGNETS; PLASMA; PROPULSION; ROCKETS; SPACE VEHICLES
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/1.1867263

Previous studies have shown that Single-State-to-Orbit (SSTO) vehicle propellant can be reduced by Magnets-Hydro-Dynamic (MHD) processes that minimize airbreathing propulsion losses and propellant consumption during atmospheric flight. Similarly additional reduction in SSTO propellant is enabled by Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) fusion, whose more energetic reactions reduce rocket propellant needs. MHD airbreathing propulsion during an SSTO vehicle's initial atmospheric flight phase and IEC fusion propulsion during its final exo-atmospheric flight phase is therefore being explored. Accomplished work is not yet sufficient for claiming such a vehicle's feasibility. But takeoff and propellant mass for an MHD airbreathing and IEC fusion vehicle could be as much as 25 and 40 percent less than one with ordinary airbreathing and IEC fusion; and as much as 50 and 70 percent less than SSTO takeoff and propellant mass with MHD airbreathing and chemical rocket propulsion. Thus this unusual combined cycle engine shows great promise for performance gains beyond contemporary combined-cycle airbreathing engines.