2025/10/07 by Gerald E. Marsh, Marsh, Gerald E.
Materials Science · Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Fusion materials and technologies #General Physics (physics.gen-ph) #Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics #Magnetic confinement fusion research
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2510.07339
openalex publication_date 2025/10/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/11 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The basic physics for plasma core rocket engines was already completed in 1985. At the time successful containment of a fissioning uranium hexafluoride U(93%)F6 plasma was achieved for ~120 seconds using an argon vortex. Unfortunately, hydrodynamic confinement of a fissioning fuel in a gas core nuclear rocket without uranium loss is probably unachievable. This article proposes a plasma core that is magnetically contained and uses one of many possible stable force-free magnetic field configurations.