Experimental fusion drive propulsion- "Mars in a month" (Earth, light)
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A university of Washington research team funded by NASA is developing a fusion drive propulsion system that could possible get a spacecraft to Mars in a month.
"Researchers at the University of Washington are working on a fusion-powered spacecraft that could theoretically ferry astronauts to Mars and back in just 30 days..............
..........The University of Washington and MSNW researchers have been successful in conducting lab test of each step in their fusion process and now "the key will be combining each isolated test into a final experiment that produces fusion using this technology," "
Hopefully they will at least have a functional prototype in my lifetime. I've heard of countless experiments that end up in the vortex of financial woes , or some stalwart says we 'are advancing too fast'. It will be beneficial in the long run , IMO. Especially if they figure a way to initiate reactions faster than 1x a minute.
The radii of the orbits of Earth and Mars are roughly 150x10^6 km and 228x10^6 km respectively. At their closest approach, the two planets are (228-150)x10^6 or 78x10^6 km apart.
One month is equal to 30x24x3600 seconds or 2.582x10^6 s.
Therefore to travel from earth to Mars in one month when Mars is closest to earth requires a speed of
78 km/2.582 s = 30 km/s = 67,000 mph.
A university of Washington research team funded by NASA is developing a fusion drive propulsion system that could possible get a spacecraft to Mars in a month.
"Researchers at the University of Washington are working on a fusion-powered spacecraft that could theoretically ferry astronauts to Mars and back in just 30 days..............
..........The University of Washington and MSNW researchers have been successful in conducting lab test of each step in their fusion process and now "the key will be combining each isolated test into a final experiment that produces fusion using this technology," "
Very interesting, thanks for posting the article.
In order to travel to Mars, and back, in a month the spacecraft would need to exert 0.01885 G (0.18473 m/s^2) of thrust continuously. At its fastest point, the spacecraft would reach 0.04% the speed of light, and all those aboard the spacecraft would jump into the future a whopping 0.07 seconds!
The really cool thing about hydrogen fusion is all the energy that is released when two hydrogen atoms are fused into helium, that it only requires 4 kilograms of hydrogen to propel a 100 kiloton spacecraft at 0.01885 G for one month. Obviously nothing we produce now is going to be that fuel efficient, but we will get better. It still is a remarkably small amount of fuel that needs to be carried, when compared to the solid fuel chemical rockets used today.
If a spacecraft could exert 1 G (9.8 m/s^2) of thrust continuously, it could make the trip to Mars, and back, in 4 days and 3 hours, and require 212 kilograms of hydrogen to propel a 100 kiloton spacecraft the distance. At the spacecraft's fastest point it would be traveling 0.29% the speed of light, causing a time dilation of 0.216 seconds, round trip.
Hopefully they will at least have a functional prototype in my lifetime. I've heard of countless experiments that end up in the vortex of financial woes , or some stalwart says we 'are advancing too fast'. It will be beneficial in the long run , IMO. Especially if they figure a way to initiate reactions faster than 1x a minute.
Another site says the craft could be completed by 2020, if NASA gives more money it would be sooner.
NASA-backed fusion engine could cut Mars trip down to 30 days ? The Register
"The FDR is one of only ten projects to get Stage Two funding from the program. This $600,000 award will provide the proof-of-concept FDR system over the next 18 months, and a working spacecraft would be ready as soon as 2020, Pancotti predicted – but if NASA wanted to throw money at the project, this timescale could be cut."
Another site says the craft could be completed by 2020, if NASA gives more money it would be sooner.
NASA-backed fusion engine could cut Mars trip down to 30 days ? The Register
"The FDR is one of only ten projects to get Stage Two funding from the program. This $600,000 award will provide the proof-of-concept FDR system over the next 18 months, and a working spacecraft would be ready as soon as 2020, Pancotti predicted – but if NASA wanted to throw money at the project, this timescale could be cut."
Do not blame NASA entirely, they are funded at the whim of Congress who sets NASA's priorities. NASA is no more efficient or cost effective than any other large government bureaucracy.
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