Magnetically-Channeled SIEC Array (MCSA) Fusion Device for Interplanetary Missions

G. H. Miley
2004 AIP Conference Proceedings  
A radical new Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) concept, the Magnetically-Channeled Spherical-IEC Array (MCSA) fusion propulsion system, was proposed earlier for use in the high performance Space Ship II fusion propulsion ship (Burton, 2003) . This ship was designed for a fast manned round trip mission to Jupiter. The MCSA fusion power plant represents a key enabling technology needed for this mission. The details of the proposed MCSA design are presented here, along with a discussion of
more » ... some possible experiments that could be performed to confirm key physics aspects. MAGNETICALLY-CHANNELED SIEC ARRAY (MCSA) CONCEPT The SIEC device represents a very attractive approach to fusion power due to its' high power density combined with a simple lightweight structure. However, the need for an internal grid and a limited confinement time has prompted several researchers to seek an alternative configuration that combines the SIEC and magnetic fields. Thus, R. W. Bussard proposed a hexapole field configuration to confine electrons while ions remain electrostatically confined.
doi:10.1063/1.1649598 fatcat:tmyg2yy7l5eujphw5k7depy6di