Nuclear fusion-powered spacecraft that could allow a probe to make it to Saturn in just TWO YEARS may be just a decade away, researcher claims
- Researchers say a nuclear fusion powered spacecraft is within reach
- Using a new type of engine, scientists could cut travel time to Saturn by 5 years
- Direct fusion drives are still theoretical but have seen increase funding
- Researchers say they may be able to demonstrate nuclear fusion by 2020
By 2028 a nuclear fusion-powered propulsion system could rocket space travel forward and cut travel times to distant planets in half, says a new report.
According to Space.com, the developers of the direct fusion drive, which harnesses a long-fabled form of nuclear fusion, say their technology could cut travel time for a spacecraft headed to Saturn down from seven years to just two.
And, what would otherwise be a nine-year trip to Pluto would take just five years, say researchers.
The engine, being developed by Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, works by using a mixture of helium-3 and deuterium, a modified version of hydrogen with a neutron in its core, which is combined with a hot plasma.
The novel concept harnesses a host of futuristic technologies to create an engine capable of cutting interplanetary travel by half the time.
This reaction generates a significant amount of energy with minimal radiation and is directed outward to generate thrust.
The technology would also harness the massive amount of heat generated by cleverly using what's known as a 'Brayton cycle' engine to convert the by-product into electricity.
Not only would the futuristic engine be able to cart spacecraft to their destination faster than traditional methods, but also help to conserve energy so that once they arrive, they are able to carry out longer and more in-depth missions.
There is just one issue with researchers technology, however -- it has not yet been proven to work.
Scientists have toiled since the 1930s to successfully demonstrate nuclear fusion, the same process that powers stars, but have met challenge after challenge.
Though the process has been a proverbial holy grail for scientists, the direct fusion drive has shown enough concepts to convince US energy and aerospace officials of its efficacy.
According to Space.com, the direct fusion drive has garnered significant funding, including two rounds from NASA and also from the the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy.
Saturn could be close than ever if scientists are able to bring a new type of nuclear fusion-powered engine to fruition.
Unlike technologies in the past, the direct fusion drive leverages new methods like magnetic confinement to hold low density plasma stable for a longer time and heat the material long and hot enough to achieve fusion.
While researchers haven't achieved fusion, they hope to do so by the mid-2020s according to Space.com.
From there, a flight prototype would follow - and an actual mission could come as early as 2028.
NASA hopes that nuclear fusion could help power a number of its upcoming ventures like a lunar 'Gateway' -- a space station orbiting the moon -- as well as a lander and orbiter capable of making it to Pluto.
Most watched News videos
- Russian soldiers catch 'Ukrainian spy' on motorbike near airbase
- Moment cops shoot dead 67-year-old pedophile
- Moment fire breaks out 'on Russian warship in Crimea'
- Shocking moment passengers throw punches in Turkey airplane brawl
- Shocking moment balaclava clad thief snatches phone in London
- Mother attempts to pay with savings account card which got declined
- Shocking moment man hurls racist abuse at group of women in Romford
- Shocking footage shows men brawling with machetes on London road
- Trump lawyer Alina Habba goes off over $175m fraud bond
- Staff confused as lights randomly go off in the Lords
- Lords vote against Government's Rwanda Bill
- China hit by floods after violent storms battered the country