The Electromagnetic Rocket Gun Impact Fusion Driver

Abstract

An impact fusion driver is discussed which has the potential to accelerate a rocket-like small metallic projectile by a travelling magnetic wave to a few 100 km/sec over a reasonable dis-tance. The propellant removes the heat produced in the projectile by resistive losses of the induced electric currents, and is thereby ejected from the projectile at a modest temperature. After having left the projectile, the propellant is shock-heated by the strong magnetic field of the travelling magnetic wave to high temperatures forming a high velocity jet. The total thrust on the projectile is the sum of the magnetic and recoil forces. In comparison to a rocket, the efficiency is much larger, with the momentum transferred to the gun barrel rather than to a tenuous jet. To reach impact fusion velocities the accelerator would be a few 100m long. © 1986, Verlag der Zeitschrift für Naturforschung. All rights reserved.