The vastness of the solar system requires a significant amount of time for exploration. However, the Dragonfly mission by NASA, which aims to reach Titan, one of Saturn’s moons, is estimated to take seven years. Nevertheless, supporters of the Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) propulsion system claim that this time can be reduced to less than two years. Nuclear engines, whether utilizing fission or fusion, are believed to be the most promising option for decreasing space travel duration.
The Dragonfly mission is one of the most eagerly anticipated expeditions by NASA to the outer reaches of the solar system. It is scheduled for launch in June 2027 and will embark on a journey to study Titan, a moon of Saturn that is unique due to its presence of atmosphere and a liquid cycle that resembles that of Earth, with the exception of methane. Titan is also known as our all-around favorite moon. Dragonfly will employ a mobile lander with 8 rotors, which is a more advanced version of the Mars helicopter Ingenuity, to hop around the surface of the moon.
It may sound exciting, but unfortunately it will take a complete seven years for the arrival of Dragonfly on Titan in 2034. However, experts from Princeton Satellite Systems (PSS), along with other universities and aeronautical institutions, suggest that a direct fusion drive (DFD) could be a quicker and more efficient option for traveling from Earth to Titan. Recently, a new nuclear rocket design has been proposed that could potentially send missions to Mars in just 45 days, according to an article by Universe Today.
According to a recent publication in the journal Acta Astronautica, it has been suggested that a fusion-powered drive could be utilized to provide both propulsion and energy for onboard electronics, thus potentially increasing the power and cargo capacity for missions to outer moons such as Titan. The paper also presents a hypothetical scenario outlining the details of a Titan mission powered by DFD technology.
According to a recent study conducted by an international team of researchers, a DFD has the capability to transport 2,220 lbs to Titan within 31 months. The current Dragonfly mission weighs approximately 990 lbs. However, the findings of this study suggest that the Princeton Field-Reversed Configuration (PFRC), developed at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, is crucial for providing power to the mission. The study can be found at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094576520307475.
Neptune’s Exploration Could Be Made Possible by This Direct Fusion Drive
The fusion utilized in this propulsion system differs from the fusion utilized in the fusion reactors found on Earth. One notable difference is the use of a unique radio frequency heating method. However, the underlying physics is based on the same principles that drive our Sun. An added benefit is that it utilizes hydrogen as its fuel source, which is one of the most abundant elements in the entire universe. In a previous study conducted two years ago, scientists studying this fusion drive described its technology in the following manner:
In the given DFD, the propellant undergoes ionization before being directed into a section with a powerful magnetic field that is externally imposed. Inside this area, the propellant moves around the engine’s core where a nuclear fusion reaction takes place, causing the propellant to heat up. Subsequently, the heated propellant expands into a magnetic nozzle, generating thrust.
The Nuclear Thermal Propulsion demonstrator, developed by NASA and DARPA, has been visualized by an artist.
According to the latest research, the spacecraft could reach Titan in under two years and potentially obtain significant power by implementing a secondary fusion reactor to produce a “close-loop electrical power generator.” This advancement would also greatly prolong the current three-year mission parameters of Dragonfly.
While there is still progress to be made before fusion technology can be utilized in NASA spacecraft, nuclear power is already showing great potential for the advancement of human space exploration. An example of this is the Nuclear Thermal Propulsion system, a nuclear fission system that has the capability to transport cargo to Mars in just 45 days instead of the usual 8 months. This system has recently entered Phase 1 development as a part of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program.
It appears that nuclear power could potentially become the future, both domestically and internationally.