Fusion Propulson System Requirements for an Interstellar ProbeAn examination of the engine constraints for a fusion-propelled vehicle indicates that minimum flight times for a probe to a 5 light-year star will be approximately 50 years. The principal restraint on the vehicle is the radiator weight and size necessary to dissipate the heat which enters the chamber walls from the fusion plasma. However, it is interesting, at least theoretically, that the confining magnetic field strength is of reasonable magnitude, 2 to 3 x 10(exp5) gauss, and the confinement time is approximately 0.1 sec.
Document ID
19630011444
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Spencer, D. F. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)