Fission Propulsion
Spacecraft propulsion using nuclear fission for thermal heating or electrical generation.
01 Definition
02 Detailed_Analysis
Spacecraft propulsion using nuclear fission for thermal heating or electrical generation. LANL's 1995 spheromak gas-core fission plasma research is an early example. Spacecraft propulsion using nuclear fission for thermal heating or electrical generation. LANL's 1995 spheromak gas-core fission plasma research is an early example.
03 Key_Facts
- ▸ Spacecraft propulsion using nuclear fission for thermal heating or electrical generation
- ▸ LANL's 1995 spheromak gas-core fission plasma research is an early example
04 Deep_Dive_Intelligence
Overview
Spacecraft propulsion using nuclear fission for thermal heating or electrical generation. LANL's 1995 spheromak gas-core fission plasma research is an early example.
Role: Glossary term: Fission Propulsion
Entity Type: Concept — Fission Propulsion is a technical concept or theoretical framework.
Technical Definition
Spacecraft propulsion using nuclear fission for thermal heating or electrical generation. LANL's 1995 spheromak gas-core fission plasma research is an early example.
06 Related_Terms (1)
07 Related_Entities (12)
08 Timeline_Mentions (10)
Project Sherwood established
The U.S. AEC's classified controlled-fusion program begins at LANL and partner labs.
historical-contextChristofilos begins Astron experiment at LLNL
Greek engineer starts E-layer field reversal concept. Earliest compact torus conception. Presented at 1958 Geneva.
historical-contextChristofilos Astron experiment at LLNL
The Astron experiment established the field-reversed configuration geometry that prefigured modern FRC research.
historical-contextLDRD Funding Established at LANL
The Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program is established to fund forefront science relevant to NNSA and DOE missions.
historical-contextDiscovery of FRC Anomalous Stability
Experiments at LANL discover that Field-Reversed Configurations (FRCs) are significantly more stable than predicted by MHD theory.
fusion-physicsAstron experiment funding cancelled at LLNL
16-year project ends without achieving field reversal. Compact torus concept disperses to spheromak and FRC research.
historical-contextChristofilos Astron experiment cancelled at LLNL
17-year Astron project ends. Field reversal concept disperses to LANL (FRC) and LLNL/PPPL (spheromak).
historical-contextRelaxation Principle Proposed
J.B. Taylor publishes the relaxation principle, establishing that spheromak plasmas minimize magnetic energy while conserving helicity.
fusion-physicsFoundational FRC Research at LANL
Los Alamos National Laboratory establishes the scientific bedrock for Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) physics through the FRX experiment series.
fusion-physicsLANL Field-Reversed Experiment (FRX) Series
Foundational research at Los Alamos National Laboratory (FRX-A, B, C) masters the control of the n=2 rotational instability in FRCs using quadrupole magnetic fields.
fusion-physics09 FAQ
What is Fission Propulsion? ▾
Why does Fission Propulsion matter? ▾
How does Fission Propulsion relate to other concepts? ▾
When did Fission Propulsion appear in the research timeline? ▾
Which entities are associated with Fission Propulsion? ▾
Is there a detailed dossier for Fission Propulsion? ▾
Quick_Facts
- Category
- Propulsion
- Aliases
- Fission Propulsion, fission-propulsion
- Sources
- 8
- Related Terms
- 1
- Graph Entities
- 12
- Timeline Events
- 10