TITLE:
Project New Orion: Pulsed Nuclear Space Propulsion Using Photofission Activated by Ultra-Intense Laser
AUTHORS:
Robert LeMoyne, Timothy Mastroianni
KEYWORDS:
Project Orion, Pulsed Nuclear Space Propulsion, Photofission, Nuclear Fission, Ultra-Intense Laser, Magneto-Hydrodynamic Generator, Cryogenic Propellant Densification
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics,
Vol.4 No.4,
April
13,
2016
ABSTRACT: Project New Orion entails a pulsed nuclear
space propulsion system that utilizes photofission through the implementation
of an ultra-intense laser. The historical origins derive from the endeavors of
Project Orion, which utilized thermonuclear devices to impart a considerable
velocity increment on the respective spacecraft. The shear magnitude of Project
Orion significantly detracts from the likelihood of progressive research
development testing and evaluation. Project New Orion incorporates a more
feasible pathway for the progressive research development testing and
evaluation of the pulsed nuclear space propulsion system. Photofission through
the application of an ultra-intense laser enables a much more controllable and
scalable nuclear yield. The energy source for the ultra-intense laser is
derived from a first stage liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen chemical
propulsion system. A portion of the thermal/kinetic energy of the rocket propulsive
fluid is converted to electrical energy through a magneto-hydrodynamic
generator with cryogenic propellant densification for facilitating the integral
superconducting magnets. Fundamental analysis of Project New Orion demonstrates
the capacity to impart a meaningful velocity increment through ultra-intense
laser derived photofission on a small spacecraft.