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Realizing "2001: A Space Odyssey": Piloted Spherical Torus Nuclear Fusion PropulsionA conceptual vehicle design enabling fast, piloted outer solar system travel was created predicated on a small aspect ratio spherical torus nuclear fusion reactor. The initial requirements were satisfied by the vehicle concept, which could deliver a 172 mt crew payload from Earth to Jupiter rendezvous in 118 days, with an initial mass in low Earth orbit of 1,690 mt. Engineering conceptual design, analysis, and assessment was performed on all major systems including artificial gravity payload, central truss, nuclear fusion reactor, power conversion, magnetic nozzle, fast wave plasma heating, tankage, fuel pellet injector, startup/re-start fission reactor and battery bank, refrigeration, reaction control, communications, mission design, and space operations. Detailed fusion reactor design included analysis of plasma characteristics, power balance/utilization, first wall, toroidal field coils, heat transfer, and neutron/x-ray radiation. Technical comparisons are made between the vehicle concept and the interplanetary spacecraft depicted in the motion picture 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Document ID
20050160960
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Williams, Craig H.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Dudzinski, Leonard A.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Borowski, Stanley K.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Juhasz, Albert J.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 2005
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
E-15003
AIAA Paper 2001-3805
NASA/TM-2005-213559
Meeting Information
Meeting: 37th Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Country: United States
Start Date: July 8, 2001
End Date: July 11, 2001
Sponsors: American Inst. of Chemical Engineers, American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 22-973-90-01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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