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How fast could a fusion engine go?
“We can get very high exhaust velocities of up to about 25,000 kilometers per second [55.9 million mph],” Paluszek said. The large amounts of thrust this fusion rocket may deliver compared to its mass could enable very fast spacecraft.
How fast can fusion rockets go?
Depending on the concept, the exhaust velocity of a fusion-propelled rocket would be in the range of 150-350 kilometres per second. Planet Mars could be reached in 90 days or even less, as compared to eight months with a conventional propulsion system.
Is a fusion rocket possible?
A fusion rocket is a theoretical design for a rocket driven by fusion propulsion that could provide efficient and sustained acceleration in space without the need to carry a large fuel supply. The design requires fusion power technology beyond current capabilities, and much larger and more complex rockets.
Could nuclear fusion power a spaceship?
LOS ANGELES, CA, March 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via NewMediaWire — US Nuclear (OTCQB: UCLE) and MIFTI’s fusion power generator would be ideal to power spaceship propulsion, as its nuclear fusion power uses a lightweight, safe, and low-cost fuel, generating four times as much energy as nuclear fission, and …
What is the fuel efficiency of a fusion powered spacecraft?
The building of a fusion-powered spacecraft would be the equivalent of developing a car on Earth that can travel twice as fast as any car, with a fuel efficiency of 7,000 miles per gallon. In rocket science, fuel efficiency of a rocket engine is measured by its specific impulse.
When will the first fusion-powered spacecraft take off?
Fusion-powered spacecraft may not be just a sci-fi dream for much longer. The Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) engine could take flight for the first time in 2028 or so, if all goes according to plan, the concept’s developers said.
What is a fusion engine and how does it work?
The fusion engine is capable of powering ‘Mechs, Aerospace Fighters, and other vehicles. Fusion engines function by harnessing the power of a fusion reaction, as occurs in the core of the Sun. A BattleMech’s fusion engine can usually last for decades on a few kilograms of hydrogen.
What is the specific impulse of a fusion drive?
A fusion drive could have a specific impulse about 300 times greater than conventional chemical rocket engines. A typical chemical rocket engine has a specific impulse of about 450 seconds, which means that the engine can produce 1 pound of thrust from 1 pound of fuel for 450 seconds.