Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is an ideal engine power source for manned spacecraft to Mars because of its inherently high power-to-mass ratios and high specific impulses. We have produced a concept for a vehicle powered by ICF and utilizing a magnetic thrust chamber to avoid plasma thermalization with wall structures and the resultant degradation of specific impulse that are unavoidable with the use of mechanical thrust chambers. This vehicle is capable of 100-day manned Mars missions with a 100-metric-ton payload and a total vehicle launch mass near 6000 metric tons, based on advanced technology assumed to be available by A.D. 2020. Such short-duration missions minimize radiation exposures and physiological deterioration of astronauts.
Transport vehicle for manned Mars missions powered by inertial confinement fusion
Transportfahrzeug fuer bemannte Marsmissionen, angetrieben durch Traegheitsbeschraenkungsfusion
AIAA-Papers ; Jul ; 1-11
1987
11 Seiten, 1 Bild, 2 Tabellen, 4 Quellen
Conference paper
English
Online Contents | 1997