System for Coupling an IEC Reactor to Ion Thrusters

Details System for Coupling an IEC Reactor to Ion Thrusters System for Coupling an IEC Reactor to Ion Thrusters

Nov 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002aps..dppgo3013w&link_type=abstract

American Physical Society, 44th Annual Meeting of the Division of Plasma , abstract #GO3.013

Physics

Scientific paper

A conceptual design for an electric-thruster-driven space ship using a D-He3 fueled Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) fusion power unit was recently developed [1]. This propulsion system uses a bank of modified NSTAR-type krypton ion thrusters (specific impulse of 16,000 sec.) giving a total thrust of 1020 N. The thrust time for a typical outer planet mission ( e.g. Jupiter) with a delta-V of 50,000 m/s is then 200 days. A key component of this concept is a traveling wave direct energy converter that converts the kinetic energy of 14-MeV fusion reaction product protons to high voltage (about 1 MV) DC electrical output. A unique step-down transformer and rectifier system condition this output for use in the ion thrusters. Details of these components, the NSTAR-thruster modifications plus a magnetic hexa-pole collimator designed to guide the emitted protons into the traveling wave converter will be described. This advanced electric thruster design offers a very high power-to-weight ratio system that is crucial for deep space propulsion. [1] George H. Miley, Hiromu Momota, R. Burton, N.Richardson, M. Coventry, and Y. Shaban, IEC Based D-He3 Fusion for Space Propulsion, Trans Am. Nuclear Society, Annual Meeting, Hollywood, FL, June 2002.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

System for Coupling an IEC Reactor to Ion Thrusters does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with System for Coupling an IEC Reactor to Ion Thrusters, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System for Coupling an IEC Reactor to Ion Thrusters will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-735742