Talk-Polywell.org

Yes, someone posted about this about a month ago but there hadn't been any practical tests yet. Someone is obviously bucking for funding. I hope they get it.

I'd like to see this and next gen M-E thrusters turned into small, cheap space probes to replace JIMO. Except for the very high power ice penetrating radar JIMO was planned to use, this reactor could supply M-E thrusters and a very capable instrument package with power for more than a decade. I like the idea of mass-produced, cheap space probes sent out all over rather than the big ticket items like JIMO. Would be great to see in 12-15 years.

Is this new?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOPAZ_nuclear_reactor

It may be that the incorporation of a Sterling engine into the process is the key point. This would up the conversion efficiencies (over thermal couple direct conversion), and thus increase useful power without the corresponding increase in waste heat management inherent in a thermal couple system (~ 30% conversion verses a few %.).

Dan Tibbets

A month ago today:

viewtopic.php?t=4093

If there's anything that is "new" it is that DOE decided to restart U238 production and Sandia is adapting to that with this new/old design.

There was a NASA-NIAC report last year titled Aneutronic Fusion Spacecraft Architecture.

Nydoc wrote:There was a NASA-NIAC report last year titled Aneutronic Fusion Spacecraft Architecture.

Very nice.