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Nathan Schilling

Publications and source records attributed to Nathan Schilling.

8 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2018

Mars Transit/Surface Habitat Commonality Studies

- Perform fundamental research into biomechanics and human performance at variable gravities using the unique capabilities of underwater simulation - Microgravity - Lunar - Mars - Create limited habitat simulation with various task simulators which can be adapted across different gravities - Tie into detailed design of variable gravity habitat by leveraging senior capstone course

David Akin↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Pulsed Fission-Fusion (PuFF) Engine: Development Status

The PuFF (Pulsed Fission Fusion) project aims to revolutionize space travel through nuclear propulsion. PuFF will produce both high specific impulse (Isp 5,000-30,000 sec) and high thrust (10-100 kN), enabling quick (~1 month) transit times to Mars, the outer planets and exiting the solar system (~5 years). PuFF creates thrust by imploding a fission-fusion target using a Z-pinch. The process involves using the Lorentz (j×B) force to create gigapascal to terapascal pressures. Liquid lithium is injected in both a cylinder and cone. When the two connect, a circuit with a network of capacitors (referred to here as the pulser) is completed, and a 10-25 MA pulse flows down the lithium. The Z-pinch slams the lithium onto a fission-fusion target. The resulting compression (5-10 by volume) reaches super-criticality and explodes. The expanding plasma is then directed out of the back of the engine by a magnetic nozzle.

Nuclear↗