fdr
CONCEPT dossier

Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR)

Fusion Driven Rocket

CONCEPT Concepts GRAY TRACK PROPULSION Also: FDR, Fusion Driven Rocket, Slough FDR, NASA FDR

01 Executive_Summary

The Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) is a NASA-funded fusion propulsion concept by John Slough using MIF-style metal liners for propulsion. The FDR connects propulsion to the same broad technology family as LASL Fast Liner, FRCHX, and CFS-NM. It uses imploding metal liners to compress FRC plasmas for pulsed fusion propulsion — directly applying the MIF concept to spaceflight.

02 Definition

03 Deep_Dive_Intelligence

Overview

The Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) is a fusion propulsion concept developed by John Slough at MSNW LLC / University of Washington with NASA funding (NIAC). The FDR uses Magneto-Inertial Fusion (MIF) with metal liners to compress FRC plasmas for pulsed fusion propulsion.

Slough Three-Track Network

The FDR is Track 1 of Slough's three-track network:

  • Track 1: FDR (propulsion) — NASA-funded MIF metal liners
  • Track 2: Helion (commercial FRC) — MSNW IPA, patent assigned to Helion (2019)
  • Track 3: HyperJet (PJMIF) — plasma liner compression

Technology Connection

The FDR uses the same MIF metal liner compression approach as:

This connects propulsion to the broader compact toroid/MIF technology family.

05 Related_Entities (2)

John Slough
person →
developed by
MSNW
company →
developed at

05b Related_Topics (4)

Field-Reversed Configuration
usa → russia → china → japan → israel →
Magnetized Target Fusion
usa → russia → china →
Plasma Propulsion
usa → russia → china → japan →
Patent Analysis
usa →

06 Research_Findings (1)

Finding

FDR uses MIF metal liners for propulsion. Slough Track 1 of three-track network.

07 Key_Findings

  • ▸ Track 1: FDR (propulsion) — NASA-funded MIF metal liners
  • ▸ Track 2: Helion (commercial FRC) — MSNW IPA, patent assigned to Helion (2019)
  • ▸ Track 3: HyperJet (PJMIF) — plasma liner compression
  • ▸ LASL Fast Liner Experiment (1977)
  • ▸ AFRL FRCHX (solid aluminum liner at Shiva Star)

09 Timeline_Mentions (6)

2010

NASA Fusion Driven Rocket Concept

NASA NIAC funds FDR by Slough at MSNW. MIF metal liners for propulsion. Track 1 of Slough three-track network.

Propulsion
2011

Anthony Pancotti Joins MSNW

Anthony Pancotti transitions from AFRL to MSNW LLC to serve as Propulsion Lead for the Fusion Driven Rocket.

personnel
2012

Fusion Driven Rocket Phase I Report

MSNW submits a NASA report on the Fusion Driven Rocket, listing Anthony Pancotti as Mission Analysis Lead.

fusion-physics
2012

Fusion Driven Rocket NASA Report

Anthony Pancotti and John Slough document the Fusion Driven Rocket concept in a NASA report.

fusion-physics
2017

MSNW LLC public funding cessation

MSNW LLC ceases receiving public federal funding; work likely absorbed into classified program.

defense-programs
2017

The "Gray Track" Goes Dark

All public federal funding to MSNW LLC abruptly ceased. The last major public appearance of the "Fusion Driven Rocket" concept was in June, when Dr. Anthony Pancotti provided congressional testimony i
View Full Timeline → View on Network Graph →

10 FAQ

What is Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR)? ▾
The Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) is a fusion propulsion concept developed by John Slough at MSNW LLC / University of Washington with NASA funding (NIAC). The FDR uses Magneto-Inertial Fusion (MIF) with metal liners to compress FRC plasmas for pulsed fusion propulsion.
What role does Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) play in the research network? ▾
Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) is classified under the "Concepts" category, serving as Fusion Driven Rocket, belonging to the GRAY_TRACK_PROPULSION vertical group. The Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) is a NASA-funded fusion propulsion concept by John Slough using MIF-style metal liners for propulsion. The FDR connects propulsion to the same broad technology...
What evidence supports the Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) assessment? ▾
The intelligence assessment for Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) is supported by 1 primary source and 1 research finding. Key sources include "NASA Fusion Driven Rocket". These documents provide the evidentiary basis for the analysis.
How does Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) connect to other entities in the network? ▾
Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) is connected to 2 entities in the intelligence network, including John Slough (person) and MSNW (company). Key relationships: John Slough: developed by ; MSNW: developed at.
What is the technical definition of Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR)? ▾
The Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) is a fusion propulsion concept developed by John Slough at MSNW LLC / University of Washington with NASA funding (NIAC). The FDR uses Magneto-Inertial Fusion (MIF) with metal liners to compress FRC plasmas for pulsed fusion propulsion.
What is the physics behind Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR)? ▾
The Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) is a fusion propulsion concept developed by John Slough at MSNW LLC / University of Washington with NASA funding (NIAC). The FDR uses Magneto-Inertial Fusion (MIF) with metal liners to compress FRC plasmas for pulsed fusion propulsion.
Why is Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) significant for defense applications? ▾
Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) is referenced in 1 research finding related to defense technology. Overview The Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) is a fusion propulsion concept developed by John Slough at MSNW LLC / University of Washington with NASA funding (NIAC). The FDR uses Magneto-Inertial Fusion (MIF) with metal liners to compress FRC plasmas...
What research findings mention Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR)? ▾
Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) appears in 1 research analysis document, including "R618: FDR Propulsion Track". FDR uses MIF metal liners for propulsion. Slough Track 1 of three-track network.
What are the alternative names or aliases for Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR)? ▾
Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) is also known as: FDR, Fusion Driven Rocket, and Slough FDR. These alternative names appear across different source documents and may reflect codenames, abbreviations, or historical references.
What external sources document Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR)? ▾
Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) is documented by 1 external source, including 1 government document. Notable references include "NASA Fusion Driven Rocket".
What is the historical timeline for Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR)? ▾
Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) is referenced across documents spanning 1977–2019, with activity noted in 1977 and 2019. This temporal range is derived from the primary source documents in the research archive.

Verified_Primary_Sources 1 SOURCES

primary nasa.gov government_document
NASA Fusion Driven Rocket
Verifies: FDR NASA NIAC funded; Slough MIF propulsion
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ID: fdr
Type: concept
Region: main
Last updated: Research database snapshot