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FUSION PROPULSION

FUSION PROPULSION. INTRODUCTION. A new concept for an interplanetary and interstellar mission engine . Fusion reaction is used to produce thrust to propel the rockets. Fusion rockets. WHAT IS FUSION?. Fusion occurs when two nuclei combine to from a new nucleus .

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FUSION PROPULSION

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  1. FUSION PROPULSION

  2. INTRODUCTION • A new concept for an interplanetary and interstellar mission engine • Fusion reaction is used to produce thrust to propel the rockets • Fusion rockets

  3. WHAT IS FUSION? • Fusion occurs when two nuclei combine to from a new nucleus

  4. Fusion fuels are mainly Deuterium and Tritium • Deuterium contains one proton and one neutron • Tritium has one proton and two neutrons

  5. Deuterium-Tritium Fusion

  6. Plasma • Plasma is made up of atoms • it is also called ionized gas

  7. Movement of charged particles in a plasma Absence of magnetic field Presence of magnetic field

  8. CONDITIONS SHOULD BE CREATED FOR THE FUSION TO OCCUR • The two nuclei should be bring in contact • High temperature • About 100 million °C • Created by using Laser beams, microwaves

  9. High pressure • Pressure squeezes the hydrogen atoms together • Using intense magnetic fields, powerful lasers or ion beams

  10. MANETIC CONFINEMENT FUSION • Electricity & neutral particle beams are used to heat the stream of gas • Plasma is squeezed by the super conducting magnets • Optimum for power generation

  11. MANETIC CONFINEMENT FUSION PROPULSION • Reactions takes place in a magnetic bottle • Products exhausted through a magnetic nozzle • Two primary problems • Prohibitively large weight • Difficult to create a magnetic bottle with magnetic rocket exhaust nozzle

  12. INERTIAL CONFINEMENT FUSION PROPULSION • Inertial Confinement Fusion(ICF) • Uses laser beam or ion beams to heat & squeeze the deuterium and tritium pellet • Pellet is bombarded on all sides by strong pulses from lasers or particle accelerators • Inertia of fuel holds it together long enough for most of it to undergo fusion

  13. Beams explosively detonates the outer layer • Sending a shock wave in to the center which is powerful enough for achieving high enough density at center to cause some fusion reactions • This heats surrounding fuel creating a chain reaction that burns the fuel load

  14. MUON-CATALYSED FUSION PROPULSION • Muon-Catalysed Fusion • A negative muon is an elementary particle similar to an electron • Muons replaces the electrons and allow their negative charge to effectively shield the positively charged nuclei from each other

  15. Muon catalyzed D-T Fusion D-T Molecule

  16. Eliminates electric repulsion force & fusion take place • Fusion energy ejects the muon& goes of to another nucleus • thus catalyses many reactions till it decays

  17. Muon has to be manufactured on the space craft • If unable to catalyze many reactions the system is inefficient

  18. CONCLUSION • This concept increases the mission flexibility, enabling new science missions and greater flexibility in reaching & exploring distant planets • It reduces the time for the journey in space mission by 50% compared to the chemical rocket

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