VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

“Jnana sangama”, belagavi-590018

DON BOSCO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Kumbalagodu, Bengaluru – 560074

“FUSION PROPULSION ”
TECHNICAL SEMINAR
Presented by
ARAVINDA M C 1DB15ME404

Under the Guidance of

Mr. SURESHA K V BE. ME. (Ph.D.)

Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical
Engineering
 CONTENTS
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Fusion
4. Conditions to Obtain Fusion
5. Magnetic Confinement Fusion
6. Objectives
7. Advantages
8. Disadvantages
9. Conclusion
reference
 ABSTRACT
We argue that it is essential for the fusion energy program
to identify an imagination-capturing critical mission by
developing a unique product which could command the
marketplace. We lay out the logic that this product is a
fusion rocket engine, to enable a rapid response capable of
deflecting an incoming comet, to prevent its impact on the
planet Earth, in defence of our population, infrastructure,
and civilization. As a side benefit, deep space solar system
exploration, with greater speed and orders-of-magnitude
greater payload mass would also be possible.
 INTRODUCTION
 Spacecraft propulsion is used to change the velocity of
spacecraft and artificial satellites.
 There are many different methods. Each method has
drawbacks and advantages, and spacecraft propulsion is
an active area of research.
 Most spacecraft today are propelled by heating the
reaction mass and allowing it to flow out the back of the
vehicle.
 For propulsion the required product is the velocity of
the exhaust products of the reaction. All current
spacecraft use chemical rocket for launch.
 WHAT IS FUSION?

 Fusion occurs when two

nuclei combine to from a
new nucleus .
 Fusion fuels are mainly Deuterium and Tritium

 Deuterium contains one proton and one neutron

 Tritium has one proton and two neutrons

 Deuterium-Tritium Fusion
CONDITIONS SHOULD BE CREATED FOR THE
FUSION TO OCCUR

 The two nuclei should be bring in contact

 High temperature

 About 100 million °C

 Created by using Laser beams,

microwaves
 High pressure

 Pressure squeezes the hydrogen atoms together

 Using intense magnetic fields, powerful lasers or

ion beams
Plasma

 Plasma is made of atoms.

 Atoms are composed of one or more negatively
charged electrons that orbit the nucleus.
 Atoms are electrically neutral, but can become
either positively charged, or negatively charged
when exposed to radiation.
 Plasma is also known has ionised gas.
 Movement of charged particles in a plasma

Absence of magnetic field Presence of magnetic field

 MANETIC CONFINEMENT FUSION

 Electricity & neutral particle beams are

used to heat the stream of gas

 Plasma is squeezed by the super

conducting magnets

 Optimum for power generation

 Objectives of Fusion Propulsion

 To evaluate the current status of practical research into

fusion confinement.
 To investigate the feasibility of open magnetic fusion system
for space propulsion.
 To consider Possible solutions, experiment, & technology
developments needed to over come these challenges.
 To outline a plan of focused research & experimental work
that could be carried out in Europe in the context
international collaboration.
 Advantages of Fusion Propulsion

 Nuclear fusion doesn't create harmful waste.

 There is an infinite amount of fuel for Nuclear Fusion.

 It is incredibly inexpensive to create.

 It is low risk form of energy.

 No Radioactive materials are present at launch.

 Disadvantes of fusion propulsion

 It requires almost much energy to create Nuclear

fusion as the energy it creates.
 There may be unanticipated consequences to using
Nuclear fusion.
 This industry still requires innovation.

 Heat can be just as deadly as radiation.

 CONCLUSION

 This concept increases the mission flexibility,

enabling new science missions and greater
flexibility in reaching & exploring distant planets

 It reduces the time for the journey in space mission

by 50% compared to the chemical rocket
 References

 Carpenter, S.A., Brennan, K.M. and Gatti, R.C., (1998c),

'Fourth Design Principle for Application of Fusion Power to
Space Propulsion', Cleveland, Ohio, July 13-15 1998, AIAA-
98-3593.
 Slough, J., (2001), 'Performance Capability and Mission
Analysis for a Pulsed High Density FRC Fusion Rocket', Salt
Lake City, Utah, July 8-11 2001, AIAA-2001-3674.
 Kammash, T. and Lee, M., (1995), ‘ Gasdynamic Fusion
Propulsion System for Space Exploration', in: Journal of
Propulsion and Power, Vol. 11 (3) 1995, pp.544-553.