LONG DIFFER SPACE TRAVEL

DIFFERENT PROPULSION OPTIONS FOR LONG DISTANCE SPACE TRAVEL

for
Jerrie Fiala
Technical Communication Instructor
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

by
Ian Mackey
IME 1020 Student

November 5, 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT …………………………………………………..........................

INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………..................

Definitions and Background ……………..…………...…….................. Purpose and Audience …………………………...…......….................... Sources ………………………………………………....…….................. Working Definitions …………………………......................................... Limitations …………………………………..……….….……...…......... Scope …………………………………………...…….………..................

COLLECTED DATA …………………........................................................

In Situ Based Propulsion ……………………….................…………… Creating Fuel on Mars…………………………………................ Metal Based Propulsion…………………….................................. Solar Thermochemical Propellant Synthesis ……….....................

Nuclear Propulsion……………………………………………............... Nuclear Power on Earth…………………....………….................. Nuclear Propulsion in Space………….....................…………...... Harness Energy with Regenerative Fuel
The solution to this problem is using a regenerative fuel cell (RFC) to store the unused energy. A RFC is ideal for space travel because it is a reusable electrical storage device, has a high energy capacity, and has a chemical byproduct of water. RFC utilize the concept of water electrolysis. Electrolysis is a simple endothermic chemical reaction that adds an electrical current to a container of water to separate the compound into its elemental forms. Figure 4 below shows a concept design of a RFC