A visualization illustrates the innovative Sunbird fusion-powered propulsion system connecting to large spacecraft for long-distance towing. (CREDIT: Pulsar Fusion)
A British space technology company has unveiled a groundbreaking project that has the potential to revolutionize interplanetary travel for humans. Following a decade of discreet research, Pulsar Fusion has introduced the Sunbird, a nuclear fusion-powered rocket designed to fly as early as 2027, with test runs scheduled for this year.
The company made this exciting announcement at the Space-Comm Expo in London, showcasing a concept video and unveiling new design specifics. Pulsar Fusion is confident that the Sunbird has the capability to cut travel time to Mars in half and transport spacecraft across vast distances through a distinct docking and towing mechanism.
What Sets Sunbird Apart
Unlike traditional rockets that launch from Earth, the Sunbird is engineered to operate in orbit. It remains stationed in sizable docking facilities in space, ready to be deployed akin to an interplanetary tugboat. Upon readiness, it connects to other spacecraft and propels them towards their destinations using a nuclear fusion engine.
The engine, known as the Duel Direct Fusion Drive (DDFD), distinguishes the Sunbird from conventional rockets. By harnessing nuclear fusion, the same energy source that drives the Sun itself, the engine generates remarkable exhaust velocities crucial for reducing travel durations between celestial bodies. For instance, while NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft took 9.5 years to reach Pluto, Pulsar Fusion claims that their system could achieve the same voyage in approximately 4 years.
Pulsar Fusion CEO Richard Dinan emphasized the significance of exhaust velocities, stating at the expo, “If we are going to be the species that actually get to other planets, then exhaust speeds are pretty much the most important thing.” He pointed out that fusion reigns supreme in terms of theoretically attainable exhaust velocities.
Fusion-powered rockets are not meant for terrestrial launches due to their immense power and associated risks. However, in space, they have the potential to redefine space travel. Once a spacecraft is in low-Earth orbit, a Sunbird can seize it and propel it towards Mars, the Moon, or even farther reaches.
Space Fusion Dynamics
Fusion has long been an aspiration for scientists on Earth. This process involves merging atomic nuclei, resulting in substantial energy release with minimal waste. Achieving this on Earth demands extreme heat and pressure within reactors.
Nevertheless, the dynamics shift in space. The vacuum of space acts as a natural reactor chamber where conditions can reach absolute zero, with no atmospheric interference. Fusion in orbit does not need to be a continuous process; Pulsar’s rocket engine operates in short bursts, producing sufficient thrust to propel a payload.
The DDFD engine employs a fuel blend of deuterium and helium-3, differing from the deuterium-tritium mix used in Earth-based fusion endeavors. Although
In fusion power plants, plasma does not need to be confined in a loop, making the entire system potentially lighter, smaller, and easier to build and test in orbit. According to Dinan, “There’s a lower bar for fusion in space,” suggesting that achieving fusion in space is feasible if it can be done on Earth. Sunbird fusion vehicles positioned in orbit eliminate the 9.4 km/s delta-V barrier beyond LEO, enabling spacecraft to dock and travel deeper into space without escaping Earth’s gravity independently (CREDIT: Pulsar Fusion).
However, not everyone is convinced. Paulo Lozano, an astronautics professor at MIT specializing in rocket propulsion, expressed skepticism about fusion technology, particularly compact devices. Without knowledge of the actual engine design, he stated that he lacks a technical basis to assess its feasibility.
Pulsar Fusion has taken concrete steps to test the Sunbird system by building two large vacuum chambers in the U.K. for static tests using inert gases to simulate engine behavior. If successful, in-orbit demonstrations are planned for 2027. Dinan highlighted the company’s expansion plans and ambitions to become a leading international space propulsion testing facility.
While there is no official timeline for constructing the first full-scale Sunbird, Pulsar Fusion is preparing to secure the necessary funding, although Dinan described the project as too speculative to set a clear deadline. The potential benefits of the Sunbird project could outweigh its costs, with each spacecraft estimated to cost around $90 million primarily due to the expense of helium-3. The company envisions future mining of helium-3 on the Moon to reduce fuel costs and enhance sustainability.
Sunbird spacecraft are designed to be reusable, allowing for refueling and recharging for multiple missions. These rugged vehicles, equipped with thick armor plating to withstand radiation and micrometeorites, aim to revolutionize space travel by offering cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable transportation. Pulsar Fusion’s goal is for the U.K. to lead in advanced space propulsion, leveraging its expertise in plasma thrusters, nuclear fission engines, and the pioneering Sunbird project.
“I anticipate that Sunbird is currently under close scrutiny by our global competitors,” stated Dinan. “We are open to visits from suitable partners and potential international clients and are excited to reveal further developments we have in store.”A clandestine UK rocket initiative is targeting the launch of a fusion-powered “space tug” by 2027, potentially cutting the travel time to Mars in half. (CREDIT: Pulsar Fusion)While advancements in space propulsion have often fallen short of expectations, various projects worldwide— including one by NASA and DARPA— are aiming to test fusion or fission engines by 2027. Should even one project succeed, the landscape of space travel in the next decade could be drastically altered.Fusion-powered rockets may still be theoretical, but the race to bring them to life has commenced. Pulsar Fusion, with its ambitious Sunbird project, is at the forefront of this endeavor. (Article originally from The Brighter Side of News)Interested in uplifting stories like this one? Subscribe to The Brighter Side of News newsletter.
