The VISTA spacecraft: Advantages of ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion) for interplanetary fusions propulsion applications

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The VISTA spacecraft: Advantages of ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion) for interplanetary fusions propulsion applications

Orth, Charles D. / Klein, Gail / Sercel, Joel / Hoffman, Nate / Murray, Kathy / Chang-Diaz, Franklin

Inertial 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.

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Title :

The VISTA spacecraft: Advantages of ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion) for interplanetary fusions propulsion applications

Contributors:

Orth, Charles D. (author) / Klein, Gail (author) / Sercel, Joel (author) / Hoffman, Nate (author) / Murray, Kathy (author) / Chang-Diaz, Franklin (author)

Publication date :

1987-10-02

Type of media :

Conference paper

Type of material :

No indication

Language :

English

Keywords :

Plasma Physics