AAWSAP DIRD, Aneutronic Fusion Propulsion I, November 2010

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LEO to the Moons of Jupiter and Saturn (460 to 940 million miles) .................. 28
LEO to Alpha Centauri (4.22 light-years or 24.8 trillion miles) ......................... 28
Chapter 7: Conclusions........................................................................................ 29
Appendix A: Relativistic Rockets ......................................................................... 30
Appendix B: Aneutronic Fusion Rocket ................................................................ 32
Appendix C: Antimatter Annihilation Rocket........................................................ 36
Appendix D: Relativistic Rocket Worksheet ......................................................... 38
Appendix E: Endnotes.......................................................................................... 41
Figures
Figure 1. Liquid-Fueled Chemical Rocket. ....................................................... vi
Figure 2. Mass Ratio Increases as Objects Approach Speed of Light ................ 2
Figure 3. Spherical Radiation Shield Surrounding Point Source ....................... 8
Figure 4. Nuclear Fission Rocket Design ........................................................ 11
Figure 5. Schematic Design of a Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Generator ..... 13
Figure 6. Nuclear Fusion of Deuterium and Tritium ....................................... 14
Figure 7. Low-Temperature Fusion Reactions................................................ 15
Figure 8. Fusion Ignition Energies for D-T, D-D, and D-He3 ........................... 15
Figure 9. Aneutronic Fusion Schemes ............................................................ 18
Figure 10. Fusion of Hydrogen-1 and Boron-11 Produces 3 Alpha Particles .. 19
Figure 11. QED Rocket Design ....................................................................... 23
Figure 12. Time Dilation at Relativistic Velocities .......................................... 31
Figure 13. Maximum Achievable Velocity Versus Fuel Usage ......................... 33
Figure 14. Acceleration and Rocket "Clock" Ratio Vs Mission Time on Earth .. 33
Figure 15. Spreadsheet for Sample Mission to Alpha Centauri........................34
Figure 16. Antihydrogen Atom........................................................................36
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