Wave Assisted \"PULSED PLASMA\" Propulsion

Development of a space faring civilization will depend on the ability to move cargo efficiently and humans rapidly. Due to the large distances involved in space travel, the ships must reach a high velocity for reasonable mission transit times. Thus, propulsion systems with high specific impulse (Isp) AND high thrust are required. Possessing both attributes has eluded the current state of technology. Howe Industries is investigating a system that may produce 20,000 lbsf of thrust with an Isp of 5,000 s. The system is derived from the Pulsed Fission Fusion [1] concept but the Pulsed Plasma Rocket (PPR) is smaller, less complex, and more affordable. The performance of a propulsion system with high Isp and high thrust allows missions throughout the solar system and beyond which are not possible with current technology. Human missions to Mars in two months are possible. Alternatively, heavier ships contaning shielding against Galactic Cosmic Rays are enabled so that the dose to the crew is reduced to negligible levels. This may be preferable for Mars missions or may enable human missions to the Asteroid Belt in acceptable timeframes. Additionally, a mission to the 550 AU location where the Sun’s gravitational lens focuses can be considered. For this study, we intend to focus on the large, heavily shielded ship to transport humans and cargo to Mars for the development of a Martian base.

星际文明的发展，有赖于高效货运与快速载人的航天运输能力。鉴于星际航行涉及的距离尺度极大，航天器必须达到极高速度，才能将任务航行时长控制在合理区间。因此，研发兼具高比冲（specific impulse, Isp）与高推力的推进系统成为核心需求。然而，当前技术尚未实现这两项性能的兼备。豪伊工业（Howe Industries）正开展相关系统的研发，该系统有望实现20000磅力（lbsf）的推力，比冲可达5000秒。该系统脱胎于脉冲裂变聚变（Pulsed Fission Fusion）概念，而脉冲等离子火箭（Pulsed Plasma Rocket, PPR）方案则体积更小、结构更简洁、成本更为可控。兼具高比冲与高推力的推进系统，将使太阳系乃至更遥远深空的航天任务成为可能——这是当前技术无法达成的。例如，载人火星任务的航行时长可压缩至两个月。此外，该系统可支撑搭载银河宇宙射线（Galactic Cosmic Rays）防护装置的重型航天器，将机组人员所受辐射剂量降至可忽略的水平。该方案或更适配火星任务，亦或可使人类在可接受的时间框架内完成小行星带载人航行。此外，还可考虑开展前往太阳引力透镜聚焦点所处的550天文单位（AU）位置的任务。本研究将聚焦于大型重型防护航天器，用于运输人员与货物前往火星以开展火星基地建设。