Latest news with #DualDirectFusionDrive
Fox News
24-04-2025
- Science
- Fox News
329,000 mph nuclear rocket leading next era of space travel
Get ready because the future of traveling to other planets just got a massive upgrade. Pulsar Fusion, a U.K.-based aerospace company, is developing a compact fusion engine called the Dual Direct Fusion Drive that could drastically change space exploration as we know it. This engine powers their Sunbird spacecraft, which promises to make space missions faster, cheaper and more efficient. Join the FREE "CyberGuy Report": Get my expert tech tips, critical security alerts and exclusive deals, plus instant access to my free "Ultimate Scam Survival Guide" when you sign up! Can you imagine a spacecraft that can reach speeds of almost 329,000 mph? That's what Sunbird is aiming for. This incredible speed is due to its nuclear fusion propulsion system. The Sunbird boasts a high specific impulse and an integrated 2 MW power system, making it a reusable transfer vehicle perfect for those deep-space missions that are currently out of reach. The Dual Direct Fusion Drive is designed to produce thrust and continuous electrical power; think of it as the ultimate energy-efficient engine. It can deliver between 10,000 and 15,000 seconds of specific impulse while generating 2 megawatts of energy. What this really means is that missions can last longer and require much less fuel compared to traditional rockets. Sunbird has some pretty amazing potential uses; imagine it transporting 2,200-4,400 pounds of cargo to Mars in under six months, about 60 days faster than current systems, allowing crucial supplies to reach the Red Planet sooner. It could also carry probes to distant planets like Jupiter or Saturn in less than four years, all while powering scientific instruments in areas where solar energy is weak. As a reusable cislunar transport system, Sunbird can deliver up to 3,300 pounds of supplies to lunar orbit, which would support operations like fuel processing and spacecraft navigation. Sunbird could also facilitate trips to near-Earth asteroids for mining, reducing travel times and providing the power needed for drilling and material processing. Finally, it can deliver power to next-generation space telescopes in distant orbits, supporting cryogenics and real-time communications, opening up new possibilities for space observation. Getting to low Earth orbit is one of the most energy-intensive parts of space travel. Sunbird can stay stationed in orbit, allowing other spacecraft to dock and use the fusion engine for the rest of the journey. This could cut fuel storage needs by as much as 50% for missions to places like Mars or Jupiter. Pulsar Fusion plans to begin static tests this year and aims for an in-orbit demonstration by 2027. This demonstration will be a critical step toward validating the Sunbird's innovative technology in the harsh environment of space. Even with some uncertainties in government-funded space programs, companies like Pulsar Fusion are pushing forward with groundbreaking technologies. Sunbird represents a significant innovation in space propulsion and could revolutionize how we explore our solar system and beyond. This spacecraft might just reshape the future of planetary science in the years ahead, and honestly, that's pretty cool. Imagine Sunbird eventually offering crewed missions. Would you be willing to take a trip to Mars, knowing the risks and potential rewards of pioneering this new frontier? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Pulsar Fusion unveils vision for ‘Sunbird' nuclear rocket to reach Mars in half the time (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. When it comes to the future of space travel, nothing exceeds like excess. Pulsar Fusion hopes to demonstrate that axiom with its planned Sunbird nuclear fusion rocket, which is designed to travel at speeds of 329,000 mph (500,000 kph). That would make it the fastest self-propelled object ever created by humankind. (NASA's Parker Solar Probe has reached greater velocities during close solar flybys, thanks to the sun's powerful gravitational pull.) Pulsar Fusion — a U.K.-based aerospace startup founded by entrepreneur Richard Dinan — recently released a new concept design video that lays out the operational capabilities of Sunbird, a visionary project that won't rely on gravitational assistance to reach peak velocity. Theoretically, Sunbird's tremendous speeds could cut mission times to Mars in half, from seven to eight months to about four. Pulsar Fusion views the vehicle as an interplanetary tug; Sunbird would attach to other craft in space and give them a fusion-powered boost to reach their destinations. Related: Nuclear fusion breakthrough: What does it mean for space exploration? Pulsar Fusion has received funding from the U.K. Space agency. The startup is planning to begin in-orbit testing of Sunbird's Dual Direct Fusion Drive in late 2025, with an objective of reaching successful nuclear fusion in space by 2027. These goals are ambitious, of course. Nuclear fusion — the process that powers the sun and other stars — has not yet been harnessed as a large-scale energy source here on Earth.
