THIRD SYMPOSIUM ON ADVANCED PROPULSION CONCEPTS SPONSORED BY UNITED STATES AIR FORCE OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY FLIGHT PROPULSION DIVISION CINCINNATI, OHIO, OCTOBER 2-4, 1962. FEASIBILITY OF INTER-STELLAR TRAVEL
Abstract
ON A PURELY THEORETICAL BASIS, STAGED VEHICLES USING FISSION OR FUSION PROPULSION SYSTEMS ARE CAPABLE OF PERFORMING INTERSTELLAR MISSIONS WITH FLIGHT TIMES OF LESS THAN 50 YEARS. Specific consideration of a fusion propulsion system indicates that probe flight times of 50 yearsARE REASONABLE TO A 5 LIGHT YEAR STAR. However, engineering problems associated with these vehicles, in particular the size of the radiator required to dump the energy escaping the fuel, may limit their capability unless some method can be devised to minimize this energy loss. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0290084
Entities
People
- Dwain F. Spencer
- Leonard D. Jaffe
Organizations
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory