| Title: | Bussard: the interstellar Ramjet |
| Authors: | Taavishe Gupta, Author |
| Material Type: | ISU Individual Project |
| Publisher: | Illkirch-Graffenstaden (France) : International Space University, 2020 |
| Size: | 1 online resource (44 p.) / col. ill. |
| Bibliography note: | Includes bibliographical references |
| Languages: | English |
| Description: | The major limitation of interstellar travel is the high energy needed to accelerate a spacecraft to a velocity close to the speed of light in order to minimize travel times. The original Bussard interstellar ramjet concept was proposed to attain high velocities and short flight times for interstellar travel fueled by the fusion energy of interstellar hydrogen. However, several problems such as the extreme conditions necessary to initiate fusion, the slow first proton-proton nuclear fusion reaction, the requirement of high number density of hydrogen for initial operation, the large required radius (100- 1000’s of km) of the scoop, drag exceeding the thrust produced by the exhaust particles, etc. were identified, bringing into question the feasibility of this idea. Since then, several variants such as the ram-augmented ramjet, laser-propelled ramjet and other supporting concepts such as the ramjet runway, use of carbon-nitrogen-oxygen cycle instead of proton-proton nuclear fusion, etc., have been proposed to make interstellar ramjets potentially more promising for future interstellar travel. Following a literature review of the interstellar ramjet concept, this report presents an analysis of the problems identified based on their uncertainty level. Then a feasibility study of the variations is performed keeping in mind the resulting fundamental and technical gaps. Ram-augmented ramjet with graphene built scoop is identified as a potential solution. The report concludes with a roadmap for further research in these two areas to improve the capability of the interstellar ramjet concept. |
| ISU program : | Master of Space Studies |
| Permalink: | https://isulibrary.isunet.edu/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=11604 |
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 Gupta, Taavishe_IP (2.37 MB) Adobe Acrobat PDF |
