In the first study of its kind, the two companies will leverage the most advanced machine learning technology to analyse data from the Princeton field-reverse configuration (PFRC-2) reactor, which was developed in partnership with the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL).
The researchers will focus on understanding the behaviour of plasma under electromagnetic heating and confinement as part of an aneutronic fusion propulsion system.
By studying how nuclear fusion plasma behaves when exiting a rocket engine, emitting exhaust particles at t hundreds of km/sec, they hope to advance the development of a fusion-powered spacecraft.
With fusion propulsion, the solar system is realistically within grasp, giving us the ability to travel meaningful distances in space within months and years – not in a lifetime.
"Humanity has a huge need for faster propulsion in our growing space economy, and fusion offers 1,000 times the power of the conventional ion thrusters currently used in orbit," said Richard Dinan, Founder and CEO of Pulsar Fusion.
"In short, if humans can achieve fusion for energy, then fusion propulsion in space is inevitable.
“We believe that fusion propulsion will be demonstrated in space decades before we can harness fusion for energy on Earth."
Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) rocket propulsion system has the capability to reduce transit times to planets like Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, and even enable exploration beyond the solar system. This technology could lead to exciting possibilities, such as expeditions to Saturn's moon, Titan, in just two years instead of decades.
DFD drives have the advantage of producing thrust directly without the need for an intermediary, electricity-producing step. They operate by utilising the fusion reactor's energy to create a plasma of electrically charged particles, which are then converted to thrust using a rotating magnetic field. The energy produced is clean, compact and virtually limitless, making this method ideal for space travel.
"The Direct Fusion Drive is really a game-changing technology enabling us to reach deep space destinations much faster and with vast amounts of power," said Stephanie Thomas, Vice President of PSS.
"NASA is interested in a variety of deep space destinations, such as getting to Jupiter in one year, Saturn in two years, Pluto in four to five years.
“A single, one-megawatt DFD engine can handle any of those missions. It's a dramatically different way to operate deep space missions that will save time and money and enable us to do more science when we get there."
The research undertaken by Pulsar Fusion and PSS aims to produce predictive ion and electron behaviour simulations in a field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasma. Accurate predictive simulations are crucial for closed-loop systems, a vital component in developing a future PFRC reactor suitable for rocket propulsion.