NASA plasma propulsion project promises Mars in a flash
(2024/05/02)
- Reference: 1714672874
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2024/05/02/nasa_plasma_propulsion/
- Source link:
Engineering research outfit Howe Industries is working with NASA to develop a new plasma-based propulsion system that might help solve the problem of moving around the solar system faster with bigger payloads.
Early studies suggest the pulsed plasma rocket (PPR) propulsion system could produce up to 100,000 N of thrust within a 5,000-second impulse.
The concept has been developed from an earlier Pulsed Fission-Fusion (PuFF), but is smaller, simpler, and less expensive, [1]according to NASA .
[2]
"The exceptional performance of the PPR, combining high [specific impulse] and high thrust, holds the potential to revolutionize space exploration. The system's high efficiency allows for manned missions to Mars to be completed within a mere two months," NASA said.
[3]
[4]
[5]PuFF relies on fission-ignited fusion systems that have already been proved in thermonuclear weapons. But instead of a bomb, the aim is to produce a controlled jet of plasma.
[6]NASA solar sail boom demonstrator reaches orbit
[7]China to launch sample return mission to the far side of the Moon – maybe next week
[8]NASA's Psyche hits 25 Mbps from 140 million miles away – enough for Ultra HD Netflix
[9]Miles of optical fiber crafted aboard ISS marks manufacturing first
As well as slashing travel time to neighboring planets, PPR promises to support the transport of much heavier spacecraft, which can benefit from shielding against galactic cosmic rays, allowing space travelers to spend longer periods outside Earth's protective dome.
The latter will be the subject of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) study, which is focusing on a large, heavily shielded ship to transport humans and cargo to Mars for the development of a Martian base.
"The main topics included: assessing the neutronics of the system, designing the spacecraft, power system, and necessary subsystems, analyzing the magnetic nozzle capabilities, and determining trajectories and benefits of the PPR. Phase II will build upon these assessments and further the PPR concept," NASA said.
[10]
Other researchers are exploring plasma as a viable means of space propulsion. Scientists at the George Washington University (GWU) and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory are looking at how satellites might be capable of generating their own thrust with [11]propellant created out of thin air . The idea is to suck in air from the upper atmosphere and funnel particles into an ionization chamber to create plasma. ®
Get our [12]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/niac/niac-studies/pulsed-plasma-rocket-ppr-shielded-fast-transits-for-humans-to-mars/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZjQM-UWwgjXto5kNobCi@gAAAJY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZjQM-UWwgjXto5kNobCi@gAAAJY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
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[5] https://www.nasa.gov/general/pulsed-fission-fusion-puff-propulsion-system/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2024/05/02/nasa_solar_sail_boom_demonstrator/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/30/chang_e6_china_moon_mission/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/27/nasa_psyche_data_speeds/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/23/miles_of_fiber_optic_lines/
[10] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZjQM-UWwgjXto5kNobCi@gAAAJY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2024/02/29/satellite_air_propulsion/
[12] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Early studies suggest the pulsed plasma rocket (PPR) propulsion system could produce up to 100,000 N of thrust within a 5,000-second impulse.
The concept has been developed from an earlier Pulsed Fission-Fusion (PuFF), but is smaller, simpler, and less expensive, [1]according to NASA .
[2]
"The exceptional performance of the PPR, combining high [specific impulse] and high thrust, holds the potential to revolutionize space exploration. The system's high efficiency allows for manned missions to Mars to be completed within a mere two months," NASA said.
[3]
[4]
[5]PuFF relies on fission-ignited fusion systems that have already been proved in thermonuclear weapons. But instead of a bomb, the aim is to produce a controlled jet of plasma.
[6]NASA solar sail boom demonstrator reaches orbit
[7]China to launch sample return mission to the far side of the Moon – maybe next week
[8]NASA's Psyche hits 25 Mbps from 140 million miles away – enough for Ultra HD Netflix
[9]Miles of optical fiber crafted aboard ISS marks manufacturing first
As well as slashing travel time to neighboring planets, PPR promises to support the transport of much heavier spacecraft, which can benefit from shielding against galactic cosmic rays, allowing space travelers to spend longer periods outside Earth's protective dome.
The latter will be the subject of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) study, which is focusing on a large, heavily shielded ship to transport humans and cargo to Mars for the development of a Martian base.
"The main topics included: assessing the neutronics of the system, designing the spacecraft, power system, and necessary subsystems, analyzing the magnetic nozzle capabilities, and determining trajectories and benefits of the PPR. Phase II will build upon these assessments and further the PPR concept," NASA said.
[10]
Other researchers are exploring plasma as a viable means of space propulsion. Scientists at the George Washington University (GWU) and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory are looking at how satellites might be capable of generating their own thrust with [11]propellant created out of thin air . The idea is to suck in air from the upper atmosphere and funnel particles into an ionization chamber to create plasma. ®
Get our [12]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/niac/niac-studies/pulsed-plasma-rocket-ppr-shielded-fast-transits-for-humans-to-mars/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZjQM-UWwgjXto5kNobCi@gAAAJY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZjQM-UWwgjXto5kNobCi@gAAAJY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZjQM-UWwgjXto5kNobCi@gAAAJY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://www.nasa.gov/general/pulsed-fission-fusion-puff-propulsion-system/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2024/05/02/nasa_solar_sail_boom_demonstrator/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/30/chang_e6_china_moon_mission/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/27/nasa_psyche_data_speeds/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/23/miles_of_fiber_optic_lines/
[10] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZjQM-UWwgjXto5kNobCi@gAAAJY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2024/02/29/satellite_air_propulsion/
[12] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: One stage on
Marcelo Rodrigues
" something like "travelling in space with a nuclear bomb up your butt". "
Wouldn't that be the Orion project? With your but going up and down during it.
Sounds exhaustive, if You ask me.
NASA loves its drawing boards
ecarlseen
While this may be interesting in the long run, SpaceX will probably have humans doing round-trips to Mars before NASA actually builds one.
outside Earth's protective dome
Anonymous Coward
Dome? Dome! DOME!!
Ha!!! Knew it!!!! Eventually the facade would crack!!!!! The Truth would out!!!!!! The world is covered by a dome!!!!!!! Made of fluffy blue meringue!!!!!!!!! All those rockets have gone up and are stuck in it!!!!!!!!!! Which causes clouds until the food colouring covers it up again!!!!!!!!!!! Just like planes scrape against it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Chris, "CC", from New York, Westchester County
PS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One stage on
I seem to remember that one of the shuttle crew described the experience as riding a firework with a can of petrol strapped to your back . This new propulsion system seems to take that one stage further -- something like "travelling in space with a nuclear bomb up your butt".