Scientists propose a way to have found to a rocket to build up that significantly faster distances can be bridged than the conventional missiles. So need a space trip to Mars, not to take longer than 37 days.
The research was done by NASA in collaboration with scientists at the university of Alabama in Huntsville. They propose a new concept to have designed for a fast rocket: compared with conventional technology, could their approach lead to a tripling of the speed. This should be a trip to Mars in 37 days to complete, according to the scientists.
The new rocket must be built on the basis of a so-called Pulsed Fission-Fusion propulsion system. That means more or less a hybrid construction in which use is made of both nuclear fission as nuclear fusion. A kernsplitsreactie in depleted uranium should initiate a fusion reaction in a plasmamengsel of deuterium and tritium, which is located in the core of the rocket engine, eventually causing energy to be released. While the combustion proceeds the splitsingsreactie also that there is a more complete fusion reaction takes place: there is a form of synergy between the two reactions. The nuclear reactions are surrounded by a column of lithium, which is to ensure that the ignition will be gradual.
When such a rocket can be built and deployed is not known. The scientists have only in a publication out how such a system might work. That means that an application, in practice, probably still waiting for.