THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF A DEEP SPACE PROPULSION …



THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF A DEEP SPACE PROPULSION SYSTEM BASED

ON THE NUCLEAR FISSION-FRAGMENT CONCEPT

Mookesh Dhanasar* and Frederick Ferguson**

Center for Aerospace Research

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Greensboro, NC 27411

mdhanasar@

ABSTRACT

Current space propulsion systems are relatively safe and reliable; however, these systems have been proven inadequate for human exploration of our solar system. In fact, exploration within and beyond our solar system requires technological advancements that must lead to in-space propulsion systems that are capable of propelling a craft at velocities comparable to that of the speed of light. Such systems will have to make use of current or near term technologies and be capable of transporting a human crew safely to its destination and back to earth, in the shortest time possible. A favorable candidate for such a propulsion system is that which is based on nuclear fission-fragments. This research paper looks at a preliminary design of a fission-fragment deep space propulsion system. It involves the use of an energy dense Americium isotope as the nuclear fuel. The fission-fragments produced are used to heat up a second “working” fluid which is then expelled out the back of the rocket. Specific impulses greater than 2000 s are projected for the system. Such a propulsion system will be capable of completing a Mars mission much faster than current propulsion systems.

* M.S. Student, Center for Aerospace Research, Greensboro, North Carolina, 27411. AIAA Member.

** Director, Center for Aerospace Research, Greensboro, North Carolina, 27411.

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