Magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) and inertial confinement fusion
(ICF) are critically contrasted in the context of far-distant travels
throughout solar system. Both are shown to potentially display superior
capabilities for vessel maneuvering at high speed, which are unmatched by
standard cryogenic propulsion (SCP). Costs constraints seem less demanding
than for ground-based power plants. Main issue is the highly problematic
takeoff from earth, in view of safety hazards concomitant to radioactive
spills in case of emergency. So, it is recommended to assemble the given
powered vessel at high earth altitude ∼ 700 km, above upper
atmosphere. Fusion propulsion is also compared to fission powered one,
which secures a factor of two improvement over SCP. As far a specific
impulse (s) is considered, one expects 500–3000 from fission and as
much as 104–105 from fusion through
deuterium–tritium (D-T). Next, we turn attention to the most
performing fusion reaction, i.e., proton–antiproton annihilation
with specific impulse ∼ 103–106 and
thrust–to–weight ratio ∼ 10−3–1.
Production and costs are timely reviewed. The latter could drop by four
orders of magnitude, which is possible with successful MCF or ICF.
Appropriate vessel designs will be presented for fusion as well as for
antimatter propulsion. In particular, ion compressed antimatter nuclear II
(ICAN-II) project to Mars in 30 days with fusion catalyzed by 140 ng of
antiprotons will be detailed (specific impulse ∼ 13500 s).
Performance Optimisation of Inertial Confinement Fusion Codes using Mini-applications
