SYSTEM CONCEPTS AND ISSUES FOR MAGNETIZED-TARGET-FUSION SPACE PROPULSION

Magnetized-Target-Fusion (MTF) offers a potentially attractive regime for controlled fusion. This regime, between magneticallyand inertially-confined fusion approaches, may provide the proper combination of high energydensity and moderate power density to permit satisfactory values of specific power at acceptable levels of initialmasslow-earth -orbit (IMLEO). One class of MTF system uses liner compression of magnetically-confined plasma, e.g., Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC). Technological possibilities comprise the use of solid, liquid or plasma liners, and the compression of plasmas involving D-T, D-D, and so-called advanced fuels (e.g., D-He). Furthermore, the fusion energy may heat a steady-state reservoir of propellant by injection of the reactedFRC, or may transfer energy directly to the propellant (in the case of plasma liners). The paper discusses issues associated with several schemes for employing MTF for space propulsion. These issues include overall system performance and details such as stabilization and control of liner dynamics.