Fusion Propulsion Study

This study explored the potential of fusion propulsion for Air Force missions. Fusion fuels and existing confinement concepts were evaluated according to elaborate criteria. Two fuels deuterium-tritium and deuterium- helium 3 D-3He were considered worthy of further consideration. D-3He was selected as the most attractive for this Air Force study. The colliding translating compact torus confinement concept was evaluated in depth and found to possibly possess the low mass and compactness required. Another possible concept is inertial confinement with propellant surrounding the target. A key issue for any long-burn concept is propellant addition without interfering with the fusion burn. This is required to increase thrust and generate an optimum specific impulse for a given mission. A reusable orbit transfer vehicle ROTV was identified as a mission and application where fusion propulsion can play a constructive role and is superior to both cryogenic chemical bipropellant and nuclear fission propulsion systems. Numerous technical and technological problems were identified and a development program is recommended. Keywords Propulsion Nuclear fusion propulsion Fusion reactor Mission analysis Fusion fuel Fuel cycles Confinement methods Orbit transfer vehicles.