AND SPACE DEVELOPMENT

The recent identification of a substantial lunar resource of the fusion energy fuel 3He may prot_le tbe first terrestrial market for a lunar commodi(y ana _ therefore, a major impetus to lunar development. The impact of this resource--when burned in DLJHefusion reactors for space pou_r and _n--may be even more significant as an enabling technology for safe, efficient _loration and development of space. One poss_le reactor configuration among several options, the tandem _ illustrates the potential advantages of fusion pmpu_'on. The most important advantage is the ability to provide either fast, piloted vessels or bigbtXryloa_fraction cargo vessels due to a range of specific impulses from 50 sec to 1,000,000 sec at thrust.t_waght ratios from O.1 to 5 × I0-_. Fusion pou_or research has made steady, inCz_essive progress. It is plausPMe, and even probable, that fusion rockets similar to the designs presented here will be available in the earty part of the twenO_flrst century, enabUng a major e.xpanston of human presence into the solar system