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The VISTA spacecraft: Advantages of ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion) for interplanetary fusions propulsion applicationsInertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) is an attractive engine power source for interplanetary manned spacecraft, especially for near-term missions requiring minimum flight duration, because ICF has inherent high power-to-mass ratios and high specific impulses. We have developed a new vehicle concept called VISTA that uses ICF and is capable of round-trip manned missions to Mars in 100 days using A.D. 2020 technology. We describe VISTA's engine operation, discuss associated plasma issues, and describe the advantages of DT fuel for near-term applications. Although ICF is potentially superior to non-fusion technologies for near-term interplanetary transport, the performance capabilities of VISTA cannot be meaningfully compared with those of magnetic-fusion systems because of the lack of a comparable study of the magnetic-fusion systems. We urge that such a study be conducted.
Document ID
19880003642
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Orth, Charles D.
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Klein, Gail
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Sercel, Joel
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Hoffman, Nate
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Murray, Kathy
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Chang-Diaz, Franklin
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
October 2, 1987
Subject Category
Plasma Physics
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-181549
CONF-871007-2
UCRL-96676
DE88-000417
NAS 1.26:181549
Accession Number
88N13024
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: W-7405-ENG-48
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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