Novel Fusion Reactor For Space Power And Propulsion

T. Kammash; D. L. Galbraith

doi:10.1117/12.943667

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6 April 1988 Novel Fusion Reactor For Space Power And Propulsion

T. Kammash; D. L. Galbraith

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Proceedings Volume 0871, Space Structures, Power, and Power Conditioning; (1988) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.943667
Event: 1988 Los Angeles Symposium: O-E/LASE '88, 1988, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Space exploration and other exotic applications of space have recently drawn attention to the need for multimegawatt power producing systems and other systems that could deliver gigawatts of power for short periods of time. Several nuclear fission schemes have been proposed but power to weight ratios and other considerations may open the door to other innovative approaches that may develop in the not too distant future. One such scheme is the "Magnetically Insulated Inertial Confinement Fusion" (MICF) reactor which combines the favorable aspects of both inertial and magnetic fusions in that physical containment of the burning plasma is provided by a metallic shell while thermal insulation is provided by a strong, self-generated magnetic field. Because of these unique properties the lifetime of the plasma is sufficiently longer than conventional, implosion type inertial fusion that very attractive energy gains can be achieved. In this paper we utilize a quasi one-dimensional, time-dependent set of appropriate equations to investigate the dynamic and reactor properties of this system and apply the results to a space-based power reactor, and to an advanced space propulsion device. In both instances we find that MICF can meet the space needs of the next century.

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T. Kammash and D. L. Galbraith "Novel Fusion Reactor For Space Power And Propulsion", Proc. SPIE 0871, Space Structures, Power, and Power Conditioning, (6 April 1988); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.943667

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