Z-Pinch plasma drive w/SSME power

[docm]

Works like Sandia's Z-Machine, but to power spacecraft. A powerful EM field is directed at fuel pellets and the resulting plasma provides the reaction mass.<br /><br />Theoretically capable of 10% C.<br /><br />Original papers abstract....<br /><br />Link....<br /><br />Diagram....<br /><br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Andrews Space & Technology (AS&T) introduced an innovative propulsion system that could significantly shorten round trips from Earth to Mars (from two years to only six months!) and enable our spaceships to reach Jupiter after one year of space traveling. The system, which may dramatically affect interplanetary space travel is called the Miniature Magnetic Orion (Mini-Mag Orion for short), and is an optimization of the 1958 Orion interplanetary propulsion concept. <br /><br />The original Orion project was headed by Ted Taylor from General Atomics, who together with the famous physicist Freeman Dyson suggested ejecting nuclear explosives behind a spacecraft in order to propel it forward. <b><font color="yellow">The Mini-Mag system uses a magnetic field in order to trigger an explosion of compressed material in the form of small pellets weighing several grams. This explosion, although being significantly weaker than a nuclear explosion, creates plasma that is directed through a magnetic nozzle to generate vehicle thrust. The proposed technology enables the production of thrust at high effici</font></b></p></blockquote> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[kelvinzero]

Interesting. This is also a form of beamed propulsion, with most of the propellent projected from behind if I understand it. Also a beamed momentum propulsion system in addition to the fission.. AND a bit of fusion from the pellets' Deuterium/Tritium cores.<br /><br />Its got everything! I love it! If we get tired of propelling probes, we could also take some potshots at a few asteroids. I wonder what these pellets would do hitting a nice heavy iron asteroid at 0.1c <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />