Sunvoyager: Interstellar Precursor Probe Mission Concept Driven by Inertial Confinement Fusion Propulsion

Abstract

The Sunvoyager is a concept mission for a space probe that can be sent outside of the solar heliosphere to a distance of 1000 AU in a trip time of only 3.4 years traveling at speeds of 1500 km/s or 325 AU/year. It is an advanced Voyager flyby probe, but the concept design is unique in that it would utilize an inertial confinement fusion propulsion engine driving a gram-scale capsule mass at 10 Hz pulse frequency using 5 MJ laser driver energy reaching the capsule. Such a design may be possible in the latter part of the 21st century. The probe would carry a 100-ton scientific payload for the purpose of observations from the location of gravitational focal point, a dwarf planet flypast, and imaging of interstellar asteroids. Secondary science objectives would include measurements of the interstellar medium, measurements of astrometry, and the search for extraterrestrial power and propulsion emission signatures. The propulsion engine is characterized by 23 kN thrust, 54 GW jet power, and 147 kW/kg specific power. This paper outlines the science goals in addition to calculations that scope out the design space using a recently constructed propulsion performance and mission analysis numerical tool called HeliosX.