At the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, they will conduct a series of experiments on a facility designed to contain thermonuclear plasma. Plasma has properties that will help create a powerful rocket engine. This was stated by the Deputy Director of the Institute A. Ivanov. He added that the first experiments were crowned with success.
At the end of last year, an installation called the RESIN (Spiral Magnetic Open Trap) was launched at the institute. It brings our country closer to the manufacture of a fusion reactor. RESIN is designed to implement new principles of confinement of thermonuclear plasma in magnetic systems of the magnetic principle. This installation is useful in solving several problems, including the development of the prototype of a new engine for space flight.
In October 2018, the concern Energomash reported that the company's plans include the development of a prototype model of a rocket propulsion system, as well as a special stand necessary for testing it. Equipment to reduce plasma loss is available. At present, all the necessary standard equipment has been mounted on the installation, and in the first months of 2019, experiments will be conducted that should show all the installation possibilities.
Deputy Director of the Institute A. Ivanov noted that RESIN is a demonstrator of innovative technologies.
Researchers have already been able to get a plasma with a temperature of 100 thousand degrees. In this case, the plasma has the required density required for the development of a rocket engine.
The basis of the operation of such an installation is a new method of accelerating plasma flows. This principle is associated with a specific configuration of the magnetic field in which the plasma receives rotation. In one position, the plasma is accelerated, in the other it is inhibited, and thus the jet thrust is formed.
