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Nuclear Fusion Propulsion: UK Firm Aims to Halve Mars Travel Time with “Sunbird” Spacecraft
A British company at the forefront of nuclear fusion technology asserts that employing nuclear fusion to significantly reduce travel time to Mars is “inevitable”. Pulsar Fusion has revealed its “Sunbird” concept, a revolutionary propulsion system poised to transform space travel and advance the prospect of interplanetary journeys. The firm’s CEO drew a comparison between the Sunbird’s operational principle and “Boris bikes,” the popular bicycle hire scheme introduced in London when Boris Johnson was Mayor.
Fusion Power: The Future of Space Propulsion
Richard Dinan, founder and CEO of the company, emphasized that the substantial advancements in harnessing fusion energy will soon become indispensable, dramatically shortening the duration required for spacecraft to reach distant planets. In an interview, Dinan conveyed his conviction that “milestones already achieved indicate the inevitability of this technology.” He further stated, “Humanity will find this technology irresistible because of our inherent drive to innovate and our continuous efforts to explore space.” He highlighted that nuclear fusion is already a tangible technology accessible to us.
“Inevitable” Adoption of Nuclear Propulsion
Dinan asserted that “unless an unforeseen asteroid impact occurs, the utilization of nuclear propulsion in space is assured.” He clarified that the technology is “rooted in well-established physics from the fusion energy sector, distinct from combustion rockets” currently used for space launches.
Sunbird: Propulsion for In-Space Missions
“Pulsar’s focus is on developing engines for satellites in the vacuum of space,” designed for operation beyond Earth’s atmosphere. While acknowledging the necessity of combustion rockets for initial ascent into space, Dinan explained that Pulsar’s designs are not intended to supplant them, as they are not functional within the atmosphere. Instead, Sunbird offers a significantly more efficient propulsion method for in-space maneuvers.
Reimagining Space Travel Beyond Combustion
Dinan contended that relying on combustion for space travel, especially for ambitious missions to Mars or Saturn, is “a ludicrous mode of transportation.” He criticized the “unbelievable amount of fuel” required and the “substantial CO2 emissions” associated with conventional rockets, such as those employed by SpaceX, led by Elon Musk. While recognizing their current necessity, Dinan stressed that minimizing weight is crucial for future long-duration space voyages.
The Rocket Equation Challenge
“Increased launch weight necessitates more fuel, creating a detrimental cycle,” Dinan elaborated. “This results in colossal rockets with massive fuel reserves, which, in turn, demand even more fuel for liftoff, leading to a highly expensive rocket equation.”
Alternatives to Chemical Rockets: Electric and Nuclear Electric Propulsion
Dinan mentioned electric propulsion as an alternative for in-space maneuvering, acknowledging its effectiveness but noting its slow acceleration. Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP), utilizing nuclear fission, is another option, also under investigation by Pulsar.
Nuclear Fusion: The Optimal Propulsion Solution
However, Dinan championed nuclear fusion as the superior propulsion method. While previously considered far-fetched for space applications, advancements in spacecraft payload capacity now render it “very feasible to deploy fusion reactors in space.”
Fusion Reactors Thrive in Space
“Crucially, fusion reactors operate more effectively in space,” Dinan emphasized. “Fusion is not designed for atmospheric operation; space provides the ideal setting.”
Harnessing Nuclear Power for High-Speed Exhaust
“Our objective is to exploit the strong force of nuclear energy, a domain of human expertise, to achieve the highest possible exhaust velocity.” The Sunbird engine utilizes the company’s Duel Direct Fusion Drive (DDFD), a compact nuclear fusion engine engineered to momentarily reach the solar system’s highest temperatures and generate exhaust speeds of 500,000 mph.
Sunbird’s Propulsion System and Fuel Efficiency
Sunbird incorporates Hall Effect Thrusters, generating thrust by expelling neutral plasma. Pulsar Fusion states that with a fixed supply of helium-3 fuel, refueling becomes unnecessary, even for extensive journeys.
Deployment and Reusability of Sunbird
The Sunbird technology is designed to be transported into space aboard conventional rockets, such as those developed by SpaceX or Blue Origin. Once deployed, it can remain in orbit for subsequent use by other spacecraft. Dinan suggested that a single mission could recoup the costs of deploying Sunbird, envisioning a fleet of heavily shielded spacecraft stationed in orbit.
Economic Viability of Nuclear Fusion Spacecraft
Dinan projected that if these spacecraft demonstrate durability for two or three space missions, they would prove to be “highly economical.”
Pulsar Fusion’s Expertise and Future Outlook
“Pulsar Fusion has dedicated 13 years to nuclear fusion propulsion research, collaborating with leading global academics,” Dinan stated. “We anticipate exponential growth in space exploration, nuclear technology, and fusion, positioning us favorably.”
A Novel Approach to Space Travel
“The Sunbird concept represents a completely innovative approach,” he added. “You will not have encountered this specific application presented in the manner of Sunbird.”
Mars Mission Time and Cost Savings
Dinan detailed the potential benefits, stating that a Mars journey using a SpaceX rocket currently takes “approximately seven to eight months, or about 240 days.” In contrast, “Sunbird reduces this to around 120 days.” He highlighted substantial savings: “approximately 2,700 tonnes of methane, a reduction of about 7,600 tonnes of CO2 emissions upon launch, and roughly 41,000 barrels of liquid methane.”
Significant Mission Cost Reduction
“The total cost savings amount to approximately $150 million (£116.3 million) per Mars mission,” Dinan concluded.
Sunbird Unveiled and Development Timeline
Pulsar Fusion, headquartered in Bletchley, has been developing Sunbird discreetly, publicly unveiling it at Space-Comm EXPO on March 11th at ExCeL London. A video demonstration on their website showcases the futuristic spacecraft’s operation and design. The company is “rapidly progressing towards in-orbit testing, with power supply components slated for demonstration later this year,” aiming for an in-orbit demonstration by 2027. They anticipate a production-ready Sunbird spacecraft being available as early as the 2030s.