Interstellar Mission Design of a Fusion-Powered Spacecraft to Proxima b

Recent significant developments in power production using nuclear fusion allows for a realistic discussion of fusion propulsion systems for spacecraft. This study provides a framework for large-scale spacecraft missions to Proxima b. The instrumentation included in the payload was defined based on missions with similar science objectives and flight conditions. A case study was conducted for three propulsion systems: the Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR), an Inertial-Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) fusion system, and an Antimatter Initiated Microfusion (AIM) system. Each propulsion system, originally designed for shorter interstellar distances, was tailored specifically for a Proxima b mission and analyzes its performance for 4 fuels: D-D, D-He3, D-T, and p-B11. Additionally, the system performance was examined for a fast and slow flyby of Proxima b, and bounded orbit. The analysis indicated a slow flyby and bounded orbit are most ideal for data collection, and can only be supported by the FDR employing D-He3 with a mission time of 57 years. Future work includes the investigation into the requirements for communication of data back to Earth and the implementation of an autonomous decision-making architecture that guides the spacecraft at extreme distances.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Aerospace and Ocean Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Lutz, Amelie Marie

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Ross, Shane David

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• England, Scott Leslie
• Fitzgerald, Riley McCrea

• Nuclear fusion
• Proxima b
• Mission Design

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:44308

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/134992