AAWSAP DIRD, Aneutronic Fusion Propulsion I, November 2010

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Chapter 6: Speculation on Research Needs Over the Next
30 Years
What are the technological needs in space propulsion over the next 30 years (and
beyond)? In 1961, Arthur C. Clarke observed, "The short-lived Uranium Age will see
the dawn of space flight; the succeeding era of fusion power will witness its
fulfillment."18 Although the dawn of the uranium age occurred in the middle of the
twentieth century, spaceflight is still in its infancy.
Early pioneers envisioning the technology that could propel humankind to the stars
included the Austrian engineer Eugen Sanger, who in 1953 proposed the use of
antimatter annihilation to generate photons for the creation of rockets that could
approach the speed of light. 19, 20 The propulsion technology chosen for space
exploration depends very much upon the mission. For example, flight from the surface
to low-Earth orbit requires considerable energy to break free of the Earth's gravitational
field, yet the duration of the flight is short. Space travel to the nearest stars will be of
long duration and will be strongly influenced by the type and quantity of fuel available
for extended journeys.
There are many different propulsion systems proposed for space exploration. The
systems listed below involve propulsion through the transfer of momentum to the
spacecraft throug h ejection of a propellant, where the propellant is a gas (ion drives),
combustion products (chemical rockets, nuclear thermal), high-energy particles (fusion
drive, antimatter drive), or photons (Bae drive).
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Chemical rocket, liquid fuel.
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Ion drives (VASIMR, PTI, and others).
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Bae photon drive (laser system).
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Stationary laser systems.
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Solar sails.
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Fission rockets:
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Pulsed.
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Thermal reactor with ion drive.
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Thermal reactor with propellant and Laval nozzle.
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Fusion drives:
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D-T fusion.
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Aneutronic fusion.
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Bussard (proton and boron-11).
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Antimatter catalyzed.
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