Katana VentraIP

Nuclear pulse propulsion

Nuclear pulse propulsion or external pulsed plasma propulsion is a hypothetical method of spacecraft propulsion that uses nuclear explosions for thrust.[1] It originated as Project Orion with support from DARPA, after a suggestion by Stanislaw Ulam in 1947.[2] Newer designs using inertial confinement fusion have been the baseline for most later designs, including Project Daedalus and Project Longshot.

Not to be confused with Pulsed nuclear thermal rocket.

Designer

MSNW LLC

Interplanetary

Theoretical

1,606 s to 5,722 s (depending on fusion gain)

1 day to 90 days (10 days optimal with gain of 40)

[16]

  • Fuel: Deuterium-tritium cryogenic pellet
  • Propellant: Lithium or aluminum
  • Power requirements: 100 kW to 1,000 kW

G.R. Schmidt, J.A. Bunornetti and P.J. Morton, Nuclear Pulse Propulsion – Orion and Beyond, NASA technical report AlAA 2000-3856, 2000

J. C. Nance, "Nuclear Pulse Propulsion," IEEE Trans. on Nuclear Science 12, 177 (1965) [Reprinted as Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 140, 396 (1966)].

"Nuclear Pulse Space Vehicle Study, Vol III," Report on NASA Contract NAS 8-11053, General Atomics, GA-5009, 19 Sep 64.

F. Dyson, "Death of a Project," Science 149, 141 (1965).

W. H. Robbins and H. B. Finger, H.B., "An Historical Perspective of the NERVA Nuclear Rocket Engine Technology Program", NASA Contractor Report 187154, AIAA-91-3451, July 1991.