Nathan Schilling
University of Alabama, Huntsville
A high thrust-high specific impulse propulsion system is needed for safe, fast, and reliable manned exploration of the solar system, and it is required to reach interstellar targets in any sort of appreciable timescale. Most fusion systems could provide this, but most fusion systems suffer from numerous technical challenges, the most primary one being achieving high-energy gains, and a secondary one being efficient conversion to directed jet power for thrust. Augmentation of the SPFMax (Smoothed Particle Fluid with Maxwell equation solver) model to accurately model the magnetic nozzle subsystem of the PuFF (Pulsed Fission-Fusion) architecture, as well as the ignition subsystem of the PuFF architecture, will directly meet these goals. Verification of the code with experimental results also serves to meet these goals. In conclusion, full development and test of the PuFF system will provide a high thrust, high specific impulse propulsion system, opening up an entire new class of interplanetary and interstellar missions to meet NASA’s goals.