SINGLE-STAGE CRAFT AND METHOD FOR INTERPLANETARY SPACE TRAVEL

摘要

An interplanetary spacecraft makes use of ambient cosmic rays and muons generated therefrom to provide micro-fusion propulsion. The craft has a central reaction chamber surrounded by the craft's main body. Deuterium-containing fuel material is injected at a specified rate into the reaction chamber where it is exposed to the cosmic rays and muons to produce energetic reaction products. Some reaction products exit the chamber through an opening to provide reaction thrust, while other reaction products interact with a dome of the chamber to directly apply a thrusting force. The craft can be a preassembled station having multiple reaction chambers and can form an orbiting space station around a planet or moon or a manufacturing or habitat station on a planetary or lunar surface.