This book considers the unique method of inertial confinement fusion as a means for propelling a spacecraft on missions, through interplanetary and interstellar space. This has involved combining the two separate fields of knowledge that is advanced propulsion theory and high temperature thermonuclear plasma physics. For the first time, it lays out the theoretical basis for inertial confinement fusion physics and advanced space propulsion, how the engines can be designed, the various physics and engineering parameters calculated through the fundamental equations. The goal of the book is to give readers an overview of the field by introduction of the relevant material, but also to instruct the reader in calculation design examples so that they may be able to reproduce some of this material themselves, or use the material in design calculations of their own as they strive to develop spacecraft concepts. The book is also designed to teach the reader the subject matter of advanced concept spacecraft design for interplanetary and interstellar missions to include world ships, and also consideration of exotic vehicle architectures and advanced propulsion methods to include interstellar ramjets and a black hole engine.

Covers the fundamental mathematical and physical theory as well as spacecraft concept designs for space missions Goes beyond the existing theory into advanced and visionary applications of inertial confinement fusion Includes a set of chapter-wise physics and engineering problems & queries (with answers)

Autorentext

Dr Kelvin F Long is an Aerospace Engineer and Astrophysicist, a Chartered Member of the Institute of Physics, a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society, the former Chief Editor of its journal, The Journal of the British Interplanetary Society. He previously worked as a physicist with the UK Ministry of Defence and, in this capacity, worked with the United States Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He has also presented at every NASA centre in the United States as well as to the European Space Agency, and has served as a consultant to the USAF and the broader aerospace industry. He has published many papers in peer-reviewed journals about interstellar studies, and in particular relating to advanced space propulsion. He has been involved in many interstellar projects including the BIS Project Icarus, the Breakthrough Initiatives Project Starshot, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory Interstellar Probe Decadal study, and an International Academy of Astronautics study into an interstellar precursor probe that went beyond the Voyagers. He is the current lead for the Interstellar Research Centre and the UK aerospace consultancy company Stellar Engines.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. Interstellar Trajectory.- 3. History of Research.- 4. Laser Fusion Physics.- 5. Inertial Confinement Fusion.- 6. Reactor Engineering.- 7. Principles of Aerospace Design.- 8. Interplanetary Spacecraft Designs.- 9. Interstellar Spacecraft Designs.- 10. Propulsion Power Management.- 11. Large Crewed Vessels.- 12. Massive World Ships.- 13. Fantastic Propulsion Concepts.- 14. The Starship Engineer.- 15. Imagining the Vision.