Some physics issues facing the open cycle Gas Core Nuclear Rocket

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76323/1/AIAA-1991-3650-874.pd

Gas core fission and inertial fusion propulsion systems - A preliminary assessment

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76205/1/AIAA-1991-1833-546.pd

A laser driven fusion plasma for space propulsion

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76316/1/AIAA-1992-3023-320.pd

Magnetic fuel containment in the Gas Core Nuclear Rocket

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76911/1/AIAA-1993-2368-519.pd

Mars missions with the MICF fusion propulsion system

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76184/1/AIAA-1988-2926-630.pd

The Conservation Equations for a Magnetically Confined Gas Core Nuclear Rocket

A very promising propulsion scheme that could meet the objectives of the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) of sending manned missions to Mars in the early part of the next century is the open‐cycle Gas Core (GCR) Nuclear Rocket. Preliminary assessments of the performance of such advice indicate that specific impulses of several thousand seconds, and thrusts of hundreds of kilonewtons are possible. These attractive propulsion parameters are obtained because the hydrogen propellant gets heated to very high temperatures by the energy radiated from a critical uranium core which is in the form of a plasma generated under very high pressure. Because of the relative motion between the propellant and the core, certain types of hydrodynamic instabilities can occur, and result in rapid escape of the fuel through the nozzle. One effective way of dealing with this instability is to place the system in an externally applied magnetic field. In this paper we formulate the appropriate conservation equations that describe the dynamics of GCR in the presence of magnetic fields, and indicate the role such fields play in the performance of the system.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87618/2/1097_1.pd

A preliminary comparison of gas core fission and inertial fusion for the space exploration initiative

Potential utilization of fission and fusion‐based propulsion systems for solar system exploration is examined using a Mars mission as basis. One system employs the open cycle gas core fission reactor (GCR) as the energy source, while the other uses the fusion energy produced in an inertial Confinement Fusion (MICF) concept, to convert thermal energy into thrust. It is shown that while travel time of each approach may be comparable, the GCR must overcome serious problems associated with turbulent mixing, fueling and startup among others, while the fusion approach must find ways to reduce the driver energy required for ignition.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87495/2/1078_1.pd

Fuel confinement and stability in the gas core nuclear propulsion concept

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76935/1/AIAA-1992-3818-773.pd

An americium‐fueled gas core nuclear rocket

A gas core fission reactor that utilizes americium in place of uranium is examined for potential utilization as a nuclear rocket for space propulsion. The isomer 242mAm with a half life of 141 years is obtained from an (n, γ) capture reaction with 241Am, and has the highest known thermal fission cross section. We consider a 7500 MW reactor, whose propulsion characteristics with 235U have already been established, and re‐examine it using americium. We find that the same performance can be achieved at a comparable fuel density, and a radial size reduction (of both core and moderator/reflector) of about 70%.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87734/2/585_1.pd

An antiproton‐driven magnetically insulated inertial fusion propulsion system

The magnetically Insulated Inertial Confinement Fusion (MICF) reactor, in its initial conception, concepts of a target in the form of a metal shell whose inner surface is coated with a fusion fuel which is ignited by an incident laser beam that enters the pellet through a hole. A very strong magnetic field, generated when the surface is ablated by the incident laser beam, provides thermal insulation of the wall from the hot plasma, and allows the plasma to burn longer thereby generating a larger energy amplification. When ejected through a magnetic nozzle the plasma can provide a very large specific impulse if MICF is utilized as a propulsion device. For application to space travel, however, the mass of the laser and associated power supply may prove to be prohibitively large and another driver should be considered in its place. In this paper we examine the potential use of antimatter annihilation reactions along with a fissionable component to generate the energy needed to initiate the fusion reactions. We find that a modest amount of antiprotons impinging on a tiny fissioning ‘‘spark’’ can ignite the pellet and produce specific impulses in excess a hundred thousand seconds. © 1995 American Institute of PhysicsPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87469/2/567_1.pd