Design of a Fusion Propulsion System-Part 1: Gigawatt-Level Magnetoplasmadynamic Source

Abstract

Optimum travel duration for manned interplanetary missions requires propulsion systems that deliver very high thrust, on the order of a thousand Newtons, in conjunction with specific impulse capabilities that exceed 10,000 s. Theoretically, rocket propellants consisting of fusion reactants intermixed with large masses of low-molecular-weight fuels can be expanded within a magnetic nozzle to meet these requirements. To produce the power levels associated with such systems, a gigawatt pulse line called Godzilla is adapted for experimental development. The megajoule-level energy available is electromagnetically deposited in cold helium gas to simulate the fusion-heated, low-molecular-weight propellant. The magnetohydrodynamic computer code, MACH2, is employed to provide guidelines in the design of this magnetoplasmadynamic plasma source. The numerical results specify the geometric configuration and operation conditions required to overcome destructive effects associated with these power levels within experimental limitations.