A concept that began as a doodle at a conference years ago is now becoming a reality. RocketStar Inc. has showcased its advanced nuclear-based propulsion technology called the FireStar Drive.
It is said to be the world’s first electric device for spacecraft propulsion boosted by nuclear fusion. Recently, the company announced the successful initial demonstration of this electric propulsion technology.
“We are thrilled at the results of our initial testing on an idea that our team has been exploring for some time,” said Chris Craddock, CEO of RocketStar, a US-based aerospace company.
The demand for nuclear fusion thrusters in space exploration and satellite deployment is expected to increase in the coming years. This is due to the technique’s increased efficiency, extended operation times, and other advantages.
Nuclear technique used by the thruster
The FireStar Drive harnesses the power of nuclear fusion to improve the performance of RocketStar’s “water-fueled pulsed plasma thruster.”
A spacecraft’s thrusters perform various functions, including propulsion, orbital changes, and even docking with other orbiting platforms.
Moreover, the device employs a unique sort of aneutronic nuclear fusion, which is a fusion reaction that generates few to no neutrons as a byproduct.
“The base thruster generates high-speed protons through the ionization of water vapor,” noted the press release.
Therefore, these protons collide with the nucleus of a boron atom, which starts the fusion reaction.
The FireStar Drive begins a fusion process by adding boron into the thruster exhaust, resulting in high-energy particles that increase thrust.
Nuclear fusion validation
For the testing, the team added boronated water into the exhaust plume of a pulsed plasma thruster during a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 project for AFWERX.
“This created alpha particles and gamma rays, clear indications of nuclear fusion,” noted the release.
The discovery was further confirmed and validated during the SBIR Phase 2 project at Georgia Tech’s High Power Electric Propulsion Laboratory (HPEPL) in Atlanta, Georgia.
Moreover, the technique produced ionizing radiation and increased the base propulsion unit’s thrust by 50%.
“RocketStar has not just incrementally improved a propulsion system, but has taken a leap forward by applying a novel concept, creating a fusion-fission reaction in the exhaust,” said Adam Hecht, Professor of Nuclear Engineering at the University of New Mexico.
“This is an exciting time in technology development, and I am looking forward to their future innovations,” added Hecht.
In-space testing
RocketStar’s current thruster is dubbed M1.5. Plans to test the FireStar Drive are now ongoing.
The in-space technological demonstration will take place aboard D-Orbit’s patented OTV ION Satellite Carrier. The SpaceX Transporter rideshare mission will likely launch the demo test in July and October 2024.
“We are very happy to have the opportunity to work alongside RocketStar and contribute to the demonstration of the M1.5,” said Matteo Lorenzoni, Head of Sales at D-Orbit.
“We just integrated the thruster onto the ION Satellite Carrier, and look forward to witnessing its performance in orbit,” Lorenzoni added in the press release.
Furthermore, the team plans to undertake ground tests this year, with more in-space demonstrations scheduled for February 2025.
The FireStar Drive will undergo testing as a payload aboard Rogue Space System’s Barry-2 spacecraft in the same month.
The thruster M1.5 is already ready for delivery to clients.
According to interestingengineering.com. Source of photo: internet
