Magsail M2P2?

[dreada5]

Does anyone know what happened to the M2P2 research work done at one of the NASA centers?<br /><br />Is it still being funding some where in 2008's budget?<br /><br />Wasn't it feasible?

 

[fear]

Wow, I had never even heard of M2P2. It looks like it’s been at a stand still for a few years. I can't tell if it's still being worked on or not, but it doesn't look like there are any recent announcements. Here’s the website for the guys who work on it at the University of Washington. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[rocketman5000]

a quick google search or the professor in charge brought up this. <br /><br />winglee@ess.washington.edu <br /><br />Maybe he could elaborate the progress or lack thereof?<br /><br />

 

[dreada5]

Cheers.<br /><br />Before 2004, NASA had been working on several very promising advanced propulsion concepts (VASIMR, M2P2 to name a few) that required a space-qualified nuclear reactor (which was also being seriously researched with DOE). <br /><br />I think several of these concepts had LEO test dates like 2008/2009/2010. Administrator Sean O'Keefe believed that advanced power sources and propulsion systems were the key to opening up the solar system to mankind.<br /><br />As VSE has become the biggest priority now, I hope these concepts haven't been sidelined, as we'll need them later.

 

[bpfeifer]

The VSE called for the development of advanced power and propulsion systems, and explicitly called for a flight capable nuclear reactor. However, as is usually the case with the development of space-based nuclear systems, Congress began cutting funding for it almost immediately.<br /><br />A reactor was supposed to debut on the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter, which has been completely cut "due to mission complexity." I would love to see nuclear-electric propulsion, but I doubt it will happen any time soon. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Brian J. Pfeifer http://sabletower.wordpress.com<br /> The Dogsoldier Codex http://www.lulu.com/sabletower<br /> </div>

 

[rocketman5000]

So if I am understanding that page correctly. M2P2 is basically a solar sail? In Laymans terms?

 

[j05h]

<i>> So if I am understanding that page correctly. M2P2 is basically a solar sail? In Laymans terms?</i><br /><br />No, it's a magnetic sail. It doesn't use light pressure. M2P2 is basically a tuned electromagnet that generates a large charged field around it. This gains acceleration by catching magnetic and high-energy particles from the Sun. There has been talk of it being able to shield electronics/humans from radiation and reinforcing the field with dust/reflective material to increase plasma/particle uptake for more thrust. M2P2 theoretically has higher attainable speeds than solar sails. It's a really interesting concept, I hope I described it well. Here's to seeing it through first flight!<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M2P2<br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[docm]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>bpfeifer said;<br /><br />The VSE called for the development of advanced power and propulsion systems, and explicitly called for a flight capable nuclear reactor. However, as is usually the case with the development of space-based nuclear systems, Congress began cutting funding for it almost immediately.<br /><br />A reactor was supposed to debut on the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter, which has been completely cut "due to mission complexity." I would love to see nuclear-electric propulsion, but I doubt it will happen any time soon.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />Glenn is still working on magnetoplasmadynmatic rockets (MPD). <br /><br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Glenn is currently developing high-specific-impulse, megawatt-class, hydrogen-fueled MPD thruster technology. Research at Glenn encompasses a combination of systems analysis, numerical modeling, and high-power experiments that investigate pulsed versions of both self-field and applied-field MPD thrusters. Testing for these thrusters has demonstrated exhaust velocities of 100,000 meters per second (over 200,000 mph) and thrust levels of 100 Newtons (22.5 pounds) at power levels of 1 megawatt. For perspective, this exhaust velocity will allow a spacecraft to travel roughly 11 times the top speed of the space shuttle (18,000 mph).<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />By comparison Deep Space One developed 92 millinewtons (~1/3 ounce) of thrust. <br /><br />VASIMR was spun off to private last development year with ties but AFAIK no funding from NASA. <br /><br />Both are presumably nuclear by their power requirements. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[dreada5]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Both are presumably nuclear by their power requirements. <p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />Which is why once man has returned to the moon and the world starts seriously considering manned missions to mars circa 2025, serious funding will have to be redirected at flight-capable nuclear reactors and surface powerplants.

 

[dreada5]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p><br />Glenn is still working on magnetoplasmadynmatic rockets (MPD). <p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />That is good news! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[bpfeifer]

"Both are presumably nuclear by their power requirements."<br /><br />I believe that building bigger and better electric propulsion systems will proceed in a fairly straighforward fashion. The stumbling block, as I was trying to point out is the development of suitable nuclear reactors to power them. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Brian J. Pfeifer http://sabletower.wordpress.com<br /> The Dogsoldier Codex http://www.lulu.com/sabletower<br /> </div>

 

[docm]

Starting points: simplicity & safety, meaning a pebble bed design. Gas cooled (helium, CO2, nitrogen...whatever u got), 'meltdown' proof, minimal containment required & scalable. In failure mode it could even serve as a massive RTG if properly designed. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>