Nuclear and future flight propulsion-modeling the thrust of the direct fusion drive

Stephanie J. Thomas; Michael A. Paluszek; Samuel A. Cohen; Alexander Glasser

doi:10.2514/6.2018-4769

Nuclear and future flight propulsion-modeling the thrust of the direct fusion drive

Stephanie J. Thomas, Michael A. Paluszek, Samuel A. Cohen, Alexander Glasser

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) is a revolutionary fusion propulsion concept that would produce electric power and propulsion from a single, compact fusion reactor. DFD research is being supported by several NASA grants, including a Phase II NIAC grant and a STTR. This paper presents the latest work on modeling the thrust of the DFD engine. We present new magnetic field shapes for the scrape-off-layer, the critical region where energy from the fusion products is transferred to the propellant. The thrust model includes the relationship between the thrust, exhaust velocity, and efficiency obtained from numerical simulation of the scrape-off-layer. The paper includes a brief introduction to DFD before discussing the numerical tools and presenting results.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	2018 Joint Propulsion Conference
Publisher	American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA
ISBN (Print)	9781624105708
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2018-4769
State	Published - Jan 1 2018
Event	54th AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, 2018 - Cincinnati, United States Duration: Jul 9 2018 → Jul 11 2018

Publication series

Name	2018 Joint Propulsion Conference

Conference

Conference	54th AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, 2018
Country/Territory	United States
City	Cincinnati
Period	7/9/18 → 7/11/18

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Aerospace Engineering
Control and Systems Engineering

Access to Document

10.2514/6.2018-4769

Cite this

@inproceedings{26bc12bd798e45ab861878caea53f270,

title = "Nuclear and future flight propulsion-modeling the thrust of the direct fusion drive",

abstract = "Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) is a revolutionary fusion propulsion concept that would produce electric power and propulsion from a single, compact fusion reactor. DFD research is being supported by several NASA grants, including a Phase II NIAC grant and a STTR. This paper presents the latest work on modeling the thrust of the DFD engine. We present new magnetic field shapes for the scrape-off-layer, the critical region where energy from the fusion products is transferred to the propellant. The thrust model includes the relationship between the thrust, exhaust velocity, and efficiency obtained from numerical simulation of the scrape-off-layer. The paper includes a brief introduction to DFD before discussing the numerical tools and presenting results.",

author = "Thomas, {Stephanie J.} and Paluszek, {Michael A.} and Cohen, {Samuel A.} and Alexander Glasser",

year = "2018",

month = jan,

day = "1",

doi = "10.2514/6.2018-4769",

language = "English (US)",

isbn = "9781624105708",

series = "2018 Joint Propulsion Conference",

publisher = "American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA",

booktitle = "2018 Joint Propulsion Conference",

note = "54th AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, 2018 ; Conference date: 09-07-2018 Through 11-07-2018",

}

Thomas, SJ, Paluszek, MA, Cohen, SA & Glasser, A 2018, Nuclear and future flight propulsion-modeling the thrust of the direct fusion drive. in 2018 Joint Propulsion Conference., AIAA 2018-4769, 2018 Joint Propulsion Conference, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA, 54th AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, 2018, Cincinnati, United States, 7/9/18. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2018-4769

Nuclear and future flight propulsion-modeling the thrust of the direct fusion drive. / Thomas, Stephanie J.; Paluszek, Michael A.; Cohen, Samuel A. et al.
2018 Joint Propulsion Conference. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA, 2018. AIAA 2018-4769 (2018 Joint Propulsion Conference).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

TY - GEN

T1 - Nuclear and future flight propulsion-modeling the thrust of the direct fusion drive

AU - Thomas, Stephanie J.

AU - Paluszek, Michael A.

AU - Cohen, Samuel A.

AU - Glasser, Alexander

PY - 2018/1/1

Y1 - 2018/1/1

N2 - Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) is a revolutionary fusion propulsion concept that would produce electric power and propulsion from a single, compact fusion reactor. DFD research is being supported by several NASA grants, including a Phase II NIAC grant and a STTR. This paper presents the latest work on modeling the thrust of the DFD engine. We present new magnetic field shapes for the scrape-off-layer, the critical region where energy from the fusion products is transferred to the propellant. The thrust model includes the relationship between the thrust, exhaust velocity, and efficiency obtained from numerical simulation of the scrape-off-layer. The paper includes a brief introduction to DFD before discussing the numerical tools and presenting results.

AB - Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) is a revolutionary fusion propulsion concept that would produce electric power and propulsion from a single, compact fusion reactor. DFD research is being supported by several NASA grants, including a Phase II NIAC grant and a STTR. This paper presents the latest work on modeling the thrust of the DFD engine. We present new magnetic field shapes for the scrape-off-layer, the critical region where energy from the fusion products is transferred to the propellant. The thrust model includes the relationship between the thrust, exhaust velocity, and efficiency obtained from numerical simulation of the scrape-off-layer. The paper includes a brief introduction to DFD before discussing the numerical tools and presenting results.

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DO - 10.2514/6.2018-4769

M3 - Conference contribution

SN - 9781624105708

T3 - 2018 Joint Propulsion Conference

BT - 2018 Joint Propulsion Conference

PB - American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA

T2 - 54th AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, 2018

Y2 - 9 July 2018 through 11 July 2018

ER -

Nuclear and future flight propulsion-modeling the thrust of the direct fusion drive

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Access to Document

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