Rocket Propulsion/Advanced Rocket Propulsion Concepts
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Contents |
[edit] Introduction
This book explains some Advanced Rocket Propulsion Concepts
[edit] Fusion Rocket Propulsion
A theoretical design to use the high temperature plasma from a fusion reactor as rocket exhaust. Since a break even fusion reaction has not been achieved as of 2006 this remains a very theoretical concept. Of course the actual method of containing the fusion plasma may influence the design of the rocket and it's feasability.
A tokamak or stellarator plasma containment device would present the largest problems in siphoning off plasma for propulsion and their large weight would lead to an uninspiring thrust to mass ratio. Internal confinement fusion using high power lasers or x-rays on small targets would probably be easier to build into a propulsion devicee, however the enormous size of the lasers and x-ray generators of current internal fusion projects would lead to the same problem with the thrust to mass ratio.
[edit] Antimatter Catalyzed Nuclear Pulsed Propulsion
This is an even more theoretical proposal than the fusion rocket given the high costs of generating antimatter with practical accelerators in large quantities. However the proposal is intriguing as it could solve one of the most difficult problems in space travel, getting large masses out of earth's gravity well.
The critical mass of plutonium is several kilograms, but with an antimatter trigger it can be as low as 2 grams. This would allow a spacecraft to be pushed by detonating tiny nuclear bombs behind it on a plate equiped with shock absorbers (see orion project).
[edit] Matter/Antimatter Rocket Propulsion
[edit] further reading
- Space Transport and Engineering Methods discusses many advanced propulsion concepts, including the Orion project.
