From the first anniversary edition of the Carnival of Space, I’ll send you this week to Brian Wang’s discussion of two propulsion concepts for the near future. VASIMR (variable specific impulse magnetoplasma rocket) is under active development at Franklin Chang Diaz’ Ad Astra Rocket Company, a site to monitor for developments in a technology that offers potential specific impulses from 1,000 to 30,000 seconds.
That’s a major upgrade compared to conventional rocket designs, and one that could conceivably get us to Mars in as little as 39 days. The Finnish solar electric sail concept, which we’ve also looked at here, may be well enough along for a flight test in 2010, assuming the budgetary gods are smiling. Our next step outward depends upon bumping up trip times to relatively nearby destinations like Mars and the asteroids, and these are two of the more promising concepts for making that a reality.
If we can get to Mars and back in around three months, then the odds of a quick mission to the Red Planet go up appreciably, even if we don’t land there the first couple of times. (Kind of like the Apollo program did with the Moon.) Mind you, I don’t know enough about orbital mechanics to know if a 39 day outbound journey time translates to a speedy return trip as well. Anyone?
Hi tacitus
It does indeed translate into a quick return as we’re talking about continuous boost trajectories. Trick is having a 200 MW power source light enough to produce a high enough acceleration. That’s still to be developed.
Has anyone taken a close look at the late Dr.Bussard’s Polywell IEC fusion concept. That reactor and a Vasimer appear to be a match made in heaven. I just hope and pray that the powers that be doen’t go and bury it for the next 100 years, while we pump the last drop of oil out of the ground.
It is small and light enough to fit into any reasonable space craft. Using the pB11 reaction no heavy shielding is required and there should be sufficient power available to provide a magnetic shield around the spacecraft as protection against radiation.
Bob Sanborn
If we could figure out how Tony Stark made the “arc reactor”
that powers his armored flying suit, I think we would really
be in business. A fusion power plant you can hold in your
hand.
Guess which film I saw this weekend?
Ironman?
Robert, we have looked at Dr. Bussard’s fusor and we’re all waiting with bated breath for the latest test results.
Thank Adam,
I check almost on a daily basis to see if there is any new news to report. The simplisity of the polywell design coupled with dedicated people almost guarantees success. I suspect that what is left to do is more of a tweaking process then any fundamental design changes needed. Certainly if there is anything I can do to help I will be more than glad to do so.
Robert S., ask and ye shall receive!
This just came in on today’s Next Big Future blog:
http://nextbigfuture.com/2008/05/inertial-confinement-fusion-update.html
Robert, I presume that you know:
http://www.talk-polywell.org/bb/index.php
For all most recent news and more on Polywell development.
Yes I have visited that site several times along with others. This thing has had me excited more tham anything of recent. Given my age that requires a lot as I have learned to take a cautious view of any claims. The fact that Dr. Bussard was at one time involved in the Tokomak approach and chose to look for a better way of doing fusion has me convinced he was not in this for the money or career advancement but wanted to see space travel become routine. That sort of motive makes him more believable then most.