Antiproton‐catalyzed microfission/fusion propulsion

A study of the ignition of uranium‐hydrogen pellets with antiproton‐induced fission is presented. The driver uses light ion beams for compression and traps for antiprotons. An experiment on subcritical antiproton fission is described. Recent developments in trapping antiprotons at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN), preparation for electron cooling and stacking of beam shots, and transfer of antiprotons to a portable trap are described. Thrust is derived from a propellant, which expands into a canopy. Effects on the canopy, including heating with subsequent radiation into space, sputtering by propellant and neutrons, radiation damage and mechanical stresses, are considered. Thrust and specific impulse (Isp) are calculated for interplanetary missions.