Abstract This paper discusses a system for Titan exploration enabled by nuclear fusion power. Titan is one of the most interesting locations in the solar system with a thick atmosphere, surface oceans, under-ice oceans and complex terrain. This paper provides a conceptual design of a fusion-powered system to explore many parts of Titan and enable the use of high-power instruments. The design includes a fusion-powered orbital transfer vehicle and an electric Titan science aircraft. A Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) propulsive engine could bring a sizable spacecraft to Titan orbit in less than two years. A second fusion reactor, configured as a closed-loop power generator, would be used for an electric Titan science aircraft. Both reactors are based on the Princeton Field-Reversed Configuration (PFRC) concept which combines an FRC with a magnetic mirror. PFRC uses a novel radio-frequency plasma heating system and deuterium-helium-3 fuel. A lower temperature plasma flows around the closed-field FRC region removing the fusion products. In the DFD propulsive configuration, this secondary flow permits direct and variable thrust and exhaust velocity. The science aircraft would do a powered entry to Titan and then have the capability to fly anywhere on the moon at subsonic speeds. The DFD-powered transfer vehicle would allow the in-orbit transfer stage to change inclination as needed to cover different areas of the surface.

    Highlights A PFRC fusion rocket could deliver 1 MT payloads to Titan in about two years. A PFRC fusion reactor could power an electric aircraft to explore Titan’s surface. Fusion power allows the aircraft to utilize novel high-power instruments. The PFRC transfer vehicle doubles as a science platform and communications relay.


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    Titel :

    Nuclear fusion powered Titan aircraft


    Beteiligte:
    Paluszek, Michael (Autor:in) / Price, Annie (Autor:in) / Koniaris, Zoe (Autor:in) / Galea, Christopher (Autor:in) / Thomas, Stephanie (Autor:in) / Cohen, Samuel (Autor:in) / Stutz, Rachel (Autor:in)

    Erschienen in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 210 ; 82-94


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2023-04-15


    Format / Umfang :

    13 pages




    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)


    Format :

    Elektronische Ressource


    Sprache :

    Englisch




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