The Mini-Mag Orion system - Project Orion revisited- and it works!

clark · 2003-04-08 11:44:36

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=11185

This link is also in the interplanetary propulsion thread, under Project Orion revisted topic.

From article:

Andrews Space & Technology (AS&T) successfully demonstrated the fundamental operating principles of a propulsion system that could dramatically affect interplanetary space travel, shortening round trips to Mars from two years to six months and making future trips to Jupiter and back a two-year affair. AS&T tested the Company's Mini-Mag Orion propulsion concept by completing two magnetic compression technology experiments in the world's largest pulse power machine under a NASA Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract. In cooperation with Sandia National Laboratories and the University of Washington's Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics, AS&T successfully verified the process of compressing solid matter to high densities in an electromagnetic field. A space propulsion system using the same processes would have the same thrust as the Space Shuttle Main Engine, but be fifty (50) times more efficient.

The Mini-Mag Orion system, short for Miniature Magnetic Orion, is a scaled down but more efficient version of the 1958 Orion interplanetary propulsion concept. The original Orion concept proposed the use of nuclear explosives ejected behind a spacecraft to propel it to other planets. The Mini-Mag Orion design compresses small pellets containing a few grams of simulated fissile material to beyond their supercritical point using a magnetic field. The explosion, equivalent to five tons of TNT (several orders of magnitude smaller than a traditional nuclear bomb), creates plasma that is directed by a magnetic nozzle to generate vehicle thrust. This highly efficient form of nuclear propulsion can produce enough thrust at high efficiency (specific impulse) to dramatically reduce the time required to travel between planets.

Two experiments were conducted using Sandia National Laboratories' Z-Pinch Machine, which is the world's largest operational pulse power machine, to demonstrate the process of compressing a simulated fissile material in a magnetic field. "The experiment validated the physical process behind the MMO concept, substantiating MMO's potential of enabling shorter interplanetary trip time for near-term space travel, " said AS&T Principal Investigator Ralph Ewig. The results offer revolutionary possibilities for interplanetary travel.

"We are still far from constructing an actual vehicle, but the present research will chart the course for human missions to other planets in the near future. The Mini-Mag Orion system shows significant promise, and the successful completion of our experiment demonstrated the physics and validated our approach for a near-term, in-space, advanced propulsion system," said AS&T Chief Technology Officer and Mini-Mag Orion inventor Dr. Dana Andrews.

Based on the encouraging nature of the results, AS&T will continue to develop the Mini-Mag Orion concept and compete with alternative ideas for additional research funding.

End of article.

So, would the scientists please stand up and explain what this all means?

Bill White · 2003-04-08 12:01:43

Was this a computer simulation or did they actually compress uranium/plutonium?

Is there funding for the next step?

clark · 2003-04-08 12:11:03

Is there funding for the next step?

AS&T is a small 9 person priavte company. They have received a few awards from NASA related to their concept design work for space tugs to service the ISS.

They are competing with Boeing and Lockheed in some areas.

Here is a link to a pdf file with information on the Mini Mag Orion

http://www.andrews-space.com/en/news/MM … 20Talk.pdf

I think they need to apply for additional funding. However, they received funding for a proof-of-concept study (SBIR). Given the direction of Project Prometheus, it should be a natural canadite for future funding.

From the company website listing the status of their projects:

http://www.spaceandtech.com/company/projects.shtml

Mini-Mag Orion Phase I & Phase II SBIR: AS&T conducted proof on principle analyses for the innovative MagOrion propulsion system under a NASA Phase 1 SBIR out of Marshall Space Flight Center. This company is currently working on a follow-on Phase 2 effort.

Bill White · 2003-04-08 13:05:03

Has anyone else looked at Andrew's "Alchemist" LEO launch system? clark gave the link above.

Is this nuts or might it actually work?

Thoughts on lower costs?

RobertDyck · 2003-04-08 13:21:10

Liquid oxygen generation in flight is a technology that has been looked at a couple times. Most recently India had examined it. The problem is you must fly for an extended period in the atmosphere at hypersonic speed (or at least supersonic), burning fuel all the time. This trades off hydrogen or RP1 for oxygen. An air-breathing engine is a good idea, but collection of oxygen to fill a tank may just slow you down. You would have to compare the reduced fuel weight at launch for the brief period before you fill the tank, against the cost of collecting oxygen from the air.

clark · 2003-04-08 13:56:07

http://www.spaceandtech.com/company/per … rews.shtml

The link is to a bio of the lead inventor of the Mini-Mag Orion system. The man has considerable experience with these types of projects, and with the entire system of development.

An interesting note:

He has published approximately 30 papers dealing with space transportation and advanced propulsion. He holds three patents on space transportation devices and is the co-inventor of the magnetic sail (Magsail) with Robert Zubrin.

clark · 2003-04-09 14:31:45

Soory for the double post, but if any have questions to ask the researchwer on this project, act now!

Why you should care:

from the SBIR proposal
http://www.newmars.com/cgi-bin....29;t=54

POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
Our MagOrion design is capable of delivering 100 metric tons to either Mars in 65 days or Jupiter in one year. It's high performance makes it the ideal choice as a reusable planetary space "freighter" to support human exploration of the solar system, development of scientific outposts, and even colonization. No other near term propulsion system, including Nuclear Thermal and Ion, can come close to matching the MagOrion's 20,000 seconds of
specific impulse and half-million pounds of thrust. As we enter the third millennium, NASA has its sights set on Mars and destinations beyond. The MagOrion, which could be operating before the next decade is out, will enable NASA to cost effectively send human explorers to the primary planetary bodies of our solar system and establish bases on scientifically rich areas such as Mars and Europa. Where as the Space Shuttle is an Earth to orbit space
taxi, the MagOrion is a planet to planet heavy lift space "freighter". Although the initial MagOrion customer is NASA, as humans turn to exploit space for its natural resources and entertainment potential, the low operating costs of the MagOrion (estimated at two thousand dollars per pound), could enable commercial ventures on other planets or moons.

Josh Cryer · 2003-04-09 17:06:38

This seems infinitely more feasible than Orion, since we're not talking about small explosive devices, we're just talking generic pellets. I like this idea, though I have no questions that haven't been asked by clark in the questions thread.

TJohn · 2003-04-10 06:47:50

It's great to see the developement of this new propulsion type system. The quote stated that NASA will probably be the first customer. My questions for anyone are as follows:

1. With NASA pushing for Project Prometheus, will the Mini-Mag Orion (MMO) take a back seat?

2. Which would be faster to build and test Prometheus or MMO?

3. Can MMO be launched directly from Earth?

It's nice to see something new that could possibly change space exploration forever. According to the article, MMO could be built within this decade! We need to push for the development immediately. Not that it will do any good, but I'm going to write a letter to Congress/Senate and NASA. IMHO, NASA needs to go full throttle on a new launch system (not the shuttle) and develop MMO. I would love to see the day when we will have continous launches of manned exploration of the solar system.

clark · 2003-04-10 10:28:02

http://www.spacedaily.com/news/rocketscience-03l.html

More info about the MMO:

The Mini-Mag Orion system, short for Miniature Magnetic Orion, is a scaled down but more efficient version of the 1958 Orion interplanetary propulsion concept. The original Orion concept proposed the use of nuclear explosives ejected behind a spacecraft to propel it to other planets.
The Mini-Mag Orion design compresses small pellets containing a few grams of simulated fissile material to beyond their supercritical point using a magnetic field. The explosion, equivalent to five tons of TNT (several orders of magnitude smaller than a traditional nuclear bomb), creates plasma that is directed by a magnetic nozzle to generate vehicle thrust.
This highly efficient form of nuclear propulsion can produce enough thrust at high efficiency (specific impulse) to dramatically reduce the time required to travel between planets.

Ian · 2003-05-08 06:01:59

Would the crew of Orion be protected from the radiation?

Josh Cryer · 2003-05-08 12:17:37

Not as far as I know... whatever happend to that interview?

clark · 2003-05-09 08:47:19

The questions were sent off by Adrian, I believe we are just waiting for a response. Perhaps Adrian could shed some light on this.

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#1 2003-04-08 11:44:36

Re: The Mini-Mag Orion system - Project Orion revisited- and it works!

#2 2003-04-08 12:01:43

Re: The Mini-Mag Orion system - Project Orion revisited- and it works!

#3 2003-04-08 12:11:03

Re: The Mini-Mag Orion system - Project Orion revisited- and it works!

#4 2003-04-08 13:05:03

Re: The Mini-Mag Orion system - Project Orion revisited- and it works!

#5 2003-04-08 13:21:10

Re: The Mini-Mag Orion system - Project Orion revisited- and it works!

#6 2003-04-08 13:56:07

Re: The Mini-Mag Orion system - Project Orion revisited- and it works!

#7 2003-04-09 14:31:45

Re: The Mini-Mag Orion system - Project Orion revisited- and it works!

#8 2003-04-09 17:06:38

Re: The Mini-Mag Orion system - Project Orion revisited- and it works!

#9 2003-04-10 06:47:50

Re: The Mini-Mag Orion system - Project Orion revisited- and it works!

#10 2003-04-10 10:28:02

Re: The Mini-Mag Orion system - Project Orion revisited- and it works!

#11 2003-05-08 06:01:59

Re: The Mini-Mag Orion system - Project Orion revisited- and it works!

#12 2003-05-08 12:17:37

Re: The Mini-Mag Orion system - Project Orion revisited- and it works!

#13 2003-05-09 08:47:19

Re: The Mini-Mag Orion system - Project Orion revisited- and it works!

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