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The Pulsed Fission-Fusion (PuFF) Engine: Development StatusThe PuFF (Pulsed Fission Fusion) project aims to revolutionize space travel through nuclear propulsion. PuFF will produce both high specific impulse (Isp 5,000-30,000 sec) and high thrust (10-100 kN), enabling quick (~1 month) transit times to Mars, the outer planets and exiting the solar system (~5 years).
PuFF creates thrust by imploding a fission-fusion target using a Z-pinch. The process involves using the Lorentz (j×B) force to create gigapascal to terapascal pressures. Liquid lithium is injected in both a cylinder and cone. When the two connect, a circuit with a network of capacitors (referred to here as the pulser) is completed, and a 10-25 MA pulse flows down the lithium. The Z-pinch slams the lithium onto a fission-fusion target. The resulting compression (5-10 by volume) reaches super-criticality and explodes. The expanding plasma is then directed out of the back of the engine by a magnetic nozzle.
Document ID
20205009102
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Robert B Adams
(Marshall Space Flight Center Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, United States)
Magdalena Allen
(Summer Intern Program)
Augustin Demonceaux
(Summer Intern Program)
Glen Doughty
(Marshall Space Flight Center Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, United States)
Patrick Giddens
(Marshall Space Flight Center Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, United States)
Kimberly Gonzalez
(Summer Intern Program)
John Kuczek
(Summer Intern Program)
Kendall Lloyd
(Summer Intern Program)
Rosemary Williams
(Summer Intern Program)
Jason Cassibry
(University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, Alabama, United States)
Nathan Schilling
(University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, Alabama, United States)
Bryan Winterling
(University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, Alabama, United States)
Date Acquired
October 23, 2020
Subject Category
Astronautics (General)
Report/Patent Number
AIAA-2020-4082
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA ASCEND
Location: Virtual
Country: US
Start Date: November 16, 2020
End Date: November 18, 2020
Sponsors: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
OTHER: NIAC 371544
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Nuclear
Spacecraft Design
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