Final Report for Research on Magnetized-Target Fusion for Space Propulsion

This final report summarizes research conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on using a field-reversed configuration (FRC) as a target in a magnetized-target fusion (MTF) propulsion system for space exploration under NASA's RASC/HOPE initiative. The study models plasma liner implosions and fusion burn dynamics using the 1-D radiation hydrodynamics code BUCKY and calculates neutron and gamma-ray heating in magnetic nozzle structures, showing that nozzle heating can be mitigated below 1% of total fusion power with proper plasma buffering.