Related papers: Deuterium microbomb rocket propulsion
Most supernova explosions accompany the death of a massive star. These explosions give birth to neutron stars and black holes and eject solar masses of heavy elements. However, determining the mechanism of explosion has been a half-century…
In conventional nuclear experiments a beam of accelerated nuclei collides with a target nucleus that is surrounded by other nuclei in a molecule, in condensed matter, or in a plasma environment. It is shown that for low collision energies…
The escalating accumulation of orbital debris threatens the sustainability of space operations, necessitating active removal solutions that overcome the limitations of current fuel-dependent methods. To address this, this study introduces a…
We perform general relativistic, magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations of merging binary neutron stars incorporating neutrino transport and magnetic fields. Our new radiative transport module for neutrinos adopts a general relativistic,…
Nuclear fusion is recognized as the energy of the future, and huge efforts and capitals have been put into the research of controlled nuclear fusion in the past decades. The most challenging thing for controlled nuclear fusion is to…
To deflect impact-trajectory of massive km^3 and spinning asteroid by a few terrestrial radius one need a large momentum exchange. The dragging of huge spinning bodies in space by external engine seems difficult or impossible. Our solution…
Fossil fuels, which meet most of humanity's energy needs, cause climate change due to their high carbon emissions. There are two types of energy sources that can replace fossil fuels: renewable and nuclear. Nuclear energy sources are more…
High Power Target systems are key elements in future neutrino and other rare particle production in accelerators. These systems transform an intense source of protons into secondary particles of interest to enable new scientific…
The Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) is a nuclear fusion engine that will provide thrust and electrical power for any spacecraft. It is a compact engine, based on the D -$^{3}$He aneutronic fusion reaction that uses the Princeton field reversed…
We have studied nuclear fusion reactions from the Coulomb explosion of deuterium clusters induced by high-intensity laser beams within a transport approach. By incorporating the D+D $\rightarrow$ n + He$^3$ channel as inelastic collisions…
All known interstellar transportation methods encounter monumental technological or engineering roadblocks, or even rely on speculative unknown science. In particular light of the recent public excitement and ensuing disappointment…
Gravity-Assisted maneuvers have been used as a technique to reduce fuel consumption in deep space missions for several decades now. It opened the doors of the exterior solar system. The literature shows those results, as well as new…
Solar-powered electric propulsion systems can operate in multiple modes and their operation is coupled to the power generated by solar arrays. However, the power produced by the solar arrays is a function of the solar array size and…
Relativistic fluid dynamics and the theory of relativistic detonation fronts are used to estimate the space-time dynamics of the burning of the D-T fuel in Laser driven pellet fusion experiments. The initial "High foot" heating of the fuel…
If fusion power reactors are to be feasible, it will still be necessary to convert the energy of the nuclear reaction into usable form. The heat produced will be removed from the reactor core by a primary coolant, which might be water,…
The problem of finding the optimal thrust profile of a launcher upper stage is analyzed. The engine is assumed to be continuously thrusting, following either a linear or a bilevel parametric profile, until reaching the targeted coplanar…
The ion phase-space dynamics in the Coulomb explosion of very large ($\sim 10^6 - 10^7$ atoms) deuterium clusters can be tailored using two consecutive laser pulses with different intensities and an appropriate time delay. For suitable sets…
Energy harvesting is the fundamental activity in almost all forms of space exploration known to humans. So far, in most cases, it is not feasible to bring, along with probe, spacecraft or rover suitable supply of fuel to cover all mission's…
For the successful generation of ion-beam-driven high energy density matter and heavy ion fusion energy, intense ion beams must be transported and focused onto a target with small spot size. One of the successful approaches to achieve this…
In this paper we discuss the advantages and challenges of utilizing Fission Fragment Rocket Engines (FFREs) to dramatically reduce transit time in space travel, for example, traveling to Mars. We discuss methods to decrease the size and…