Exploration of the solar system and beyond using a thermonuclear fusion drive
Roman Ya. Kezerashvili

TL;DR
This paper explores the potential of a D−3He thermonuclear fusion drive for rapid space travel within the solar system and beyond, demonstrating significant reductions in mission durations compared to conventional propulsion.
Contribution
It presents a detailed analysis of the Direct Fusion Drive's capabilities for various interplanetary missions, including trajectories to Mars, Saturn's moon Titan, and trans-Neptunian objects, highlighting its advantages over existing propulsion methods.
Findings
One-way Mars trips in ~100 days.
Travel to Titan in less than 2 years.
Reaching trans-Neptunian objects in under 10 years.
Abstract
It is demonstrated that the development of a nuclear fusion rocket engine based on a D He (Deterium-Helium 3) technology will allow to travel in the solar system and beyond. The Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) is the D He-fueled, aneutronic, thermonuclear fusion propulsion system that is under development at Princeton University Plasma Physics Laboratory [1]. It is considered and analyzed the Earth-Mars mission using the DFD. It is shown that one-way trips to Mars in slightly more than 100 days become possible and also journeys to the asteroid belt will take about 250 days [2]. It is presented an analysis of realistic new trajectories for a robotic mission to Saturn's largest moon, Titan, to demonstrate the great advantages related to the thermonuclear DFD. The trajectories calculations and analysis for Saturn's largest moon Titan different profile missions are given based…
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Taxonomy
TopicsAstro and Planetary Science · Planetary Science and Exploration · Magnetic confinement fusion research
