Efficient Solar-System Travel RequiresHigh-Exhaust-Velocity, Low-Thrust Propulsion

• Electric power can be used to drive high-exhaust-velocity plasma or ion thrusters, or fusion plasmas can be directly exhausted.

• Allows fast trip times or large payload fractions for long-range missions.

• Uses relatively small amounts of propellant, reducing total mass.

Fusion rocket

(? ? specific power)

*

JFS 1999

University of Wisconsin

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