MICF: A fusion propulsion system for interstellar missions

摘要

A very promising propulsion device that could open up the solar system and beyond to human exploration is the Magnetically Insulated Inertial Confinement Fusion (MICF) system. This scheme combines the favorable aspects of inertial and magnetic fusion into one where physical containment of the hot plasma is provided by a metal shell while its thermal energy is insulated from this wall by a strong, self-generated magnetic field. The fusion nuclear reactions in this device can be triggered by a beam of antiprotons that enters the target through a hole and annihilates on the deuterium-tritium (DT) coated inner wall giving rise to the hot fusion plasma. In addition to thermally insulating the plasma, the magnetic field helps to contain the charged annihilation products and allows them to deposit their energy in the plasma to heat it to thermonuclear temperatures. Preliminary analysis given in this paper shows that an MICF propulsion system is capable of producing specific impulses on the order of 106 seconds. Such capability makes not only the most distant planet in the solar system, but also the nearest star reachable in a human’s lifetime. It also shows that a robotic mission to 10,000 AU can readily be achieved in less than 50 years.