Marshall Space Flight Center National Aeronautics and Space Administration Progress on the Pulsed Fission‐Fusion Propulsion System Concept Robert B. Adams, Ph.D. ER24/Propulsion Research and Technology Branch George C. Marshall Space Flight Center National Aeronautics and Space Administration 1 Jason Cassibry, Ph.D., Kevin Schillo Propulsion Research Center Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering University of Alabama in Huntsville https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20140008798 2020-06-09T10:14:47+00:00Z
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on the Pulsed Fission Fusion Propulsion Concept€¦ · Initial Pulsed Nozzle Model • Test thermal expansion of gas nozzle with various initial conditions • Nozzle geometry •
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Marshall Space Flight CenterNational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Progress on the Pulsed Fission‐Fusion Propulsion System Concept
Robert B. Adams, Ph.D.ER24/Propulsion Research and Technology BranchGeorge C. Marshall Space Flight CenterNational Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Jason Cassibry, Ph.D., Kevin SchilloPropulsion Research CenterDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringUniversity of Alabama in Huntsville
Second half of NIAC is to run codes concurrently• synchronize neutron population vs. time• Optimize energy output
- As function of geometry- As function of composition
– Mix of UF6, D‐T– Lithium liner thicknesses
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Marshall Space Flight Center
• Gasdynamic nozzle performance to be compared with magnetic nozzle to assess loss mechanisms in magnetic nozzles, e.g.
• Field/plasma instabilities
• Plasma detachment
Direction of current
Single turn Magnetic Nozzle
Marshall Space Flight Center
NIAC Phase II Experimental Options
Marshall Space Flight Center
Charger ‐ 1
A test facility for high power and thermonuclear fusion propulsion concepts, astrophysics modeling, radiation physics
Located in the UAH AerophysicsLab at Redstone
The highest instantaneous pulsed power facility in academia – 572 kJ (1 TW at 100 ns)
Marshall Space Flight Center
Experimental Roadpath
Methodology• Incremental improvements in experimental capability• Benchmark model with experimental data• Can also run any experiments below with lower power systems• Looking for comments and suggestions here!
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Li wire DeuteratedPolyethylene
D‐D slushD‐T slushSolid U238
D‐Li solidSolid U238
Implosion Neutronflux
Plasmastability
Marshall Space Flight Center
Long Range Plans
Charger II• Construct breadboard PuFF system capable of 10‐20 Hz operation
- Upgrade to flight weight hardware – NASA- Optimize pulse for maximum power output – DOE- Astrodynamics, radiation protection, other research goals ‐ Various