Applying design principles to fusion reactor configurations for propulsion in spaceWe applied three design principles (DPs) to adapt and optimize three candidate-terrestrial-fusion-reactor configurations for propulsion in space. The three design principles are: (1) provide maximum direct access to space for waste radiation, (2) operate components as passive radiators to minimize cooling-system mass, and (3) optimize the plasma fuel, fuel mix, and temperature for best specific Jet power. The three candidate-terrestrial-fusion-reactor configurations are: (1) the thermal-barrier-tandem-mirror (TBTM), (2) field-reversed-mirror (FRM), and (3) levitated-dipole-field (LDF). The resulting three candidate-space-fusion-propulsion systems have their initial-mass-to-LEO minimized and their specific jet power and reusability maximized. We performed a preliminary rating of these configurations and concluded that the leading engineering-design solution to space fusion propulsion is a modified TBTM that we call the Mirror Fusion Propulsion System.
Document ID
19930065865
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Carpenter, Scott A. (Lawrence Berkeley Lab. Berkeley, CA, United States)
Deveny, Marc E. (NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Schulze, Norman R. (NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1993
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 93-2027
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA, SAE, ASME, and ASEE, Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit