UK aerospace company Pulsar Fusion is developing a nuclear fusion rocket engine that could revolutionize space travel. The engine, which is still in the development phase in Bletchley, UK, is designed to produce exhaust speeds of up to 500,000 miles per hour, making it the hottest place in the solar system during operation.
Nuclear fusion propulsion technology can revolutionize space travel!
If successful, the engine could significantly reduce mission times to Mars and enable flight times to Saturn to be reduced from eight years to two. Ultimately, this Sun inspired technology could empower humanity to explore and venture beyond our solar system.
Propelling Spacecraft with Fusion Power
Pulsar Fusion’s nuclear fusion rocket engine uses the heat from nuclear fusion to accelerate a propellant, such as hydrogen or helium. The engine works by heating a small amount of fuel to extremely high temperatures, causing it to implode and create the conditions necessary for fusion to occur. This releases a large amount of energy, which is then used to accelerate the propellant. The propellant is ejected from the engine at extremely high speeds, creating thrust that propels the spacecraft forward.
The development of nuclear fusion rocket engines is still in its early stages, but Pulsar Fusion is making significant progress. The company is currently assembling a 26-foot (8-meter) fusion chamber that is designed to be the largest practical fusion engine ever built. The chamber is scheduled to be fired in 2027, and if successful, it could pave the way for a new era of space travel.
