WO2024092299A2

WO2024092299A2 - Fast burning fusion process in space

Info

Publication number: WO2024092299A2
Application number: PCT/AT2023/060374
Authority: WO
Inventors: Melanie BOCHMANN; Karl-Georg SCHLESINGER
Original assignee: Bos Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-11-06
Filing date: 2023-10-31
Publication date: 2024-05-10

Description

FAST BURNING FUSION PROCESS IN SPACE

Table of Contents

1. Technical Concept . 4

1.1. Background of fusion reactions, cross sections, and fusion rates . 4

1.2. Step-by-step description . 5

1.3. Main elements: ignitor and fuel cartridge . 5

1.4. Ignition and burn wave . 6

1.5. Side reactions . 10

1.6. Burn efficiency and radiation loss . 12

1.7. Applications . 13

2. References . 16

1. Technical Concept

1.1. Background of fusion reactions, cross sections, and fusion rates

The present disclosure utilizes the following technical terms concerning fusion reactions:

Cross sections G refer to the standard cross sections as defined e.g. in (S. Atzeni 2009). From this, thermal fusion rates are calculated by integrating the cross section over the temperature with a velocity-weighted Maxwellian distribution as integration measure (S. Atzeni 2009).

The usual thermal rates are defined in Equation 1 : f a(v) v f_T(v)dv (1)

Here, fr(v) denotes the Maxwellian for temperature Tas a function of the energy v and <J(D) the cross section as depending on v.

Some of the nuclear fusion reactions listed in Table 1 below are referred to in this disclosure.

Table 1. Exemplary nuclear fusion reactions and the corresponding energy per reaction product and the total energy released

Reactants Reaction Products (MeV) Total Energy (MeV) a (1.44) + p (5.73) + p (5.73) 12.9 a (3.52) + n (14.08) 17.6 a (3.7) + p (14.7) 18.4 a (2.9) + a (2.9) + a (2.9) 8.7

a (0.82) + n (2.45) 3.27

As depicted on the left-hand side in Figure 1, most of the fusion reactions reach their cross section maximum well below the MeV scales dictated by the impacting shock wave, with Deuterium-Tritium (from now on denoted D-T) having its cross section maximum GM_;1\ at E=64 keV. In contrast, the Helium3-Helium3 fusion reaction (from now on, denoted He3-He3) shows a continuously increasing cross section curve, reaching its maximum OMaxin the MeV range as plotted in the extended graph in Figure 2. The right-hand side of Figure 1 shows the corresponding fusion rates, characterized by a Maxwellian-averaged velocity distribution, in thermal equilibrium, calculated according to Equation 1.

1.2. Step-by-step description

The methods provided herein are achieved through the use of a combination of an impact generating ignitor - henceforth called ignitor-, and a Helium-3 fuel-containing vessel - henceforth called fuel cartridge or cartridge.

Provided herein is a step-by-step description of the processes taking place in the cartridge:

1. The ignitor provides a kinetic impact in the MeV range on the backend of the cartridge.

2. The high kinetic impact triggers a strong shock wave with relativistic velocity leading to a high-pressure and high-density regime in the plasma.

3. The center-of-mass (CoM) energy of the relativistic shock wave is higher than the energy of the fully running proton burn wave that will be generated by the fusion reaction products.

4. Fusion reactions are initiated because of high fusion rates in the corresponding CoM domain of the relativistic shock wave.

5. The relativistic shock wave enhances the proton burn wave through an iterative cycle of particle scattering leading to fusion reactions and, again, the next generation of scattering with subsequent fusion reactions, and so on.

6. The shock wave slows down and stabilizes, resulting in a proton burn wave with fully running fusion reactions.

7. Charged particles are delivered as reaction products.

Main elements: ignitor and fuel cartridge

The following description sets forth exemplary methods, parameters, and the like. It should be recognized, however, that such description is not intended as a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure but is instead provided as a description of exemplary embodiments. The system described in the present disclosure utilizes an ignitor to provide a kinetic impact in the MeV range on the cartridge.

In some incarnations, the kinetic impact may be generated by an accelerated photon sail that is accelerated towards the fuel cartridge using radiation pressure. In other incarnations, the kinetic impact may be generated by other forms of projectiles or shock waves.

In some embodiments, the ignitor has a total kinetic impact energy between 1.5 and 40 TJ.

In some embodiments, the impact process may be extended by systems and methods to achieve high precision of the impact angle, the precision alignment of the ignitor and cartridge, or other high precision measures as would be appreciated by a person of skill in the art.

The detailed design of the cartridge needs to be aligned with the design of the corresponding embodiment of the ignitor and its intended purpose.

In some incarnations, the cartridge is a vessel containing He3 fuel, only. In other incarnations, natural hydrogen may be added to the He3 fuel composition. In yet other incarnations, He3 in the fuel cartridge may be obtained through a He3 fuel breeding process within the fuel cartridge.

1.4. Ignition and burn wave

A non-exclusive, and non-exhaustive exemplary process description

As illustrated in Table 1, the He3-He3 nuclear fusion reaction produces only charged particles, with two protons gaining 5.73 MeV each and one alpha particle gaining 1.43 MeV of kinetic energy.

The reacting fusion fuel He3 comprises three nucleons and 2 electrons per atom, corresponding to an energy distribution of approximately 2800: 1 between ions and electrons for an impact ignition.

As provided in the present disclosure, the kinetic impact energy of the ignitor and the relativistic shock wave, therefore, is mainly contained in the ions.

The electron temperature in the system described herein is very low compared to the ions. As a non-exclusive, non-limiting example, in some embodiments with a total kinetic impact of the ignitor of 2 TJ, this translates into an energy of 3xl0'¹² J (i.e. 18.6 MeV) per nucleon, corresponding to approximately 55 MeV per ion of He3. Assuming about 25% (see (Majumdar 2016)) loss due to scattering on braking at the hit side of the cartridge hull, this results in around 40 MeV per ion of He3 for the plasma conditions for ignition. Since the He3-He3 reaction uses equal mass ions and we can assume the second ion in a typical fusion event to be more or less at rest in the cold fuel of the cartridge, this means igniting conditions should be taken at around 20 MeV center-of-mass (CoM) cross section data. Practically, all 2 TJ of energy is allocated to the ions, determining the cross section for the fusion process. Therefore, the resulting plasma conditions are very advantageous for the system described in the present disclosure.

The system described herein is configured to minimize loss channels in the plasma associated with bremsstrahlung for the plasma system by taking advantage of having a low electron energy.

The system described herein takes advantage of the specific cross section and fusion rate profile in combination with the relativistic velocity shock wave at high CoM energy and very high pressure of the ignitor.

Characteristics of other fusion reactions that are typically considered are discussed below. Figure 1 indicates that the maximum fusion rates of reactions like D-T, D-D, and D-He3 occur at a couple of tens of keV CoM energy, and fusion rate curves are declining in the MeV range. E.g., the D-T fusion reaction in the keV regime is very popular in various applications because it gets accessible from the level of fusion rates reached at that temperature already at a couple of keV and has a relatively high peak of the cross section in reaching 5 bam. But the cross section peaks at the resonance at around 60 keV, and it rather quickly drops off above this. In consequence, the fusion rate peaks already at around 80 keV (S. Atzeni 2009).

The ignitor of the present disclosure is characterized by ions moving at the same speed, which means they do not follow a Maxwellian temperature distribution. See also (V. Fortov 2021) for the non-Maxwellian nature of the ion energy distribution in strong impacts.

The He3-He3 plasma conditions of the process and system described herein start with comparatively low temperatures. Figure 3 depicts an approximation of the He3-He3 fusion rates that are derived by a strongly non-Maxwellian distribution of ion energies fNon-Maxw(v) iⁿ comparison to D-T. The precise distribution is determined by the impact together with the nuclear reaction. As exhibited in Figure 1, and Figure 3, the fusion rate maximum of the He3-He3 reaction is located in the high MeV range of CoM energy in contrast to other fusion reactions. Figure 3 depicts an approximation of the strongly non- Maxwellian fusion rates. The fusion rates are derived from integrating the He3-He3 cross section curve, applying the trapezoidal rule with intervals having a width of 0.1 MeV.

Note that already in a thermal setting, a declining cross section can be compensated by higher CoM energies in the fusion rate integral. Shifting from keV to MeV energies, as it is the case for the He3-He3 fusion reaction, brings in a compensating effect of one to two orders of magnitude in the total factor a(v) v

In the process described herein, the relativistic impact will generate a distribution that is much more strongly centered at specific MeV CoM energies and, therefore, does not lead to a Maxwellian distribution of ion energies f^axw (^v) but to a distribution with a high- energy tail. The process described herein is configured to utilize the combined effect of the specific fusion rate profile still increasing in the high MeV range and the relativistic impact inducing fusion reactions that only release charged reaction products in the MeV energy range.

Following, the bootstrapping approach, utilized in practically all technical applications of nuclear fusion reactions may be considered for comparison. Bootstrapping means the ignition process is started from the left-hand side of the peak of thermal fusion rates (which e.g. for D-T is found at around 80keV). With a reasonable number of fusion reactions setting in, the fuel begins to self-heat, and the reaction moves up to higher and higher reaction rates with increasing fuel temperature. The increase is limited by the balance with losses, notably radiation losses, and in the ideal case of a very fast running reaction and low losses would move into the region of the peak of the fusion rates.

As provided in the present disclosure, the system does not ignite with bootstrapping. Still, the He3-He3 fusion reaction is induced through a relativistic velocity shock wave at very high CoM energy and very high pressure. The He3-He3 fusion reaction described herein starts from the “right hand side”, i.e. in the MeV range where the initial velocity and CoM enersv of the shock wave is hiuher than in the burn wave associated with the fusion product. The corresponding mechanism is depicted schematically in Figure 4. The relativistic shock wave as provided herein, enhances the burn wave through an iterative cycle of particle scattering leading to fusion reactions and, subsequently, a next generation of scattering with the charged fusion reaction products. The iterative cycle is illustrated in Figure 5.

According to (Majumdar 2016), one can assume that 75% of the energy of charged fusion products is diverted to fuel ions through scattering. Considering the non-exclusive and non-limiting example above with 2 TJ relativistic impact energy, the shock wave stabilizes at a He3-He3 CoM energy of 2.8 MeV and a velocity of 37,737 km/s. The energy allocation of the iterative cycle of this non-exclusive and non-limiting example is illustrated in Figure 6, and is described in the following. The process starts with a high kinetic impact energy, which is diverted to fusion reactions and the scattering of charged reaction products in each iteration, respectively. The scattering process leads to a multiplication of fusion rates from iteration to iteration, i.e., this factor can be understood as a multiplier that enhances the bum wave before stabilizing. In the non-limiting and non-exclusive example described herein, the energy utilized for scattering and fusion reactions can be translated into a corresponding speed of the proton burn wave, starting with 58,645 km/s in the 1^st generation and stabilizing at 37,737 km/s after the 8^th iteration. The velocity after stabilization corresponds to a pressure at the shock front of 187 Tbar.

As described in the present disclosure, the high kinetic impact of the ignitor leads to very high local densities in the strong shock wave. Again, referring to the non-exclusive and non-limiting example above, the local density at the shock front equals 4.35xl0⁵ g/cm³ for the stabilizing pressure of 187 Tbar, calculated with a linear relationship between pressure and density locally (V. Fortov 2016).

In some embodiments, the kinetic impact leads to local densities in the shock wave between 10⁴ g/cm³ and 10⁶ g/cm³.

In certain embodiments, the high density at the shock front leads to a further factor enhancing the fusion rate. In some embodiments the specific alignment of the ignitor and the fusion cartridge geometry and shape leads to a compression in the longitudinal direction only. The compression in the longitudinal direction may lead to additional linear enhancement factors on the fusion rate (see (V. Fortov 2021)). In certain embodiments, the cartridge may be geometrically shaped in a way to strongly direct the burning process. According to declassified Project Orion reports, e.g (Balcomb 1970) good collimation of explosions, i.e. cigar-shaped explosions directed towards the spacecraft can be achieved through geometrical optimization of the fuel pulse-units.

In certain embodiments, such a cartridge with directed burning may be used to install a specific backend. The backend may consist of heavy ions or any other material which can be utilized to achieve a high conversion rate of the energy of the reaction products into x- rays.

In yet other embodiments, the backend of such a cartridge may be optimized for a soft x- ray spectrum.

As a direct consequence of the impact ignition scheme, the electron temperature is very low upon ignition. The share of energy in the electrons will roughly follow the relation between total electron mass and total ion mass. For the case of He3 with 3 nucleons and 2 electrons per atom this means that the energy is distributed roughly at 2800: 1 between ions and electrons. Because a stable shockwave persists in burning, and the burn front starts from the “right-hand side” instead of bootstrapping, the share of energy in the electrons will remain low (see (V. Fortov 2021)). This is beneficial for reducing radiation losses in the system. But even with these low electron energies, a certain amount of x- rays will be emitted.

In certain embodiments, this x-ray spectrum may be utilized for electricity production by specific PV panels optimized for x-rays.

Side reactions

In some incarnations, side reactions to the He3-He3 main reaction may occur in the system described herein. The shockfront described herein may be characterized by its density level. In certain incarnations, the density level may range between 10⁴ g/cm³ and 10⁶ g/cm³. In certain incarnations, the high density level may induce a so-called “pep” reaction: p⁺ + e" + p⁺ - D + v_e + y + 1.44 MeV p⁺ + D -^ He3 + y + 5.43 MeV In some incarnations, the He3 resulting from the side reaction may participate in the He3- He3 fusion reaction in the cold fuel. In certain incarnations, this may result in a temporary increased speed of the p⁺ bum wave and the fusion rate. Figure 7 illustrates the exemplary occurrence of pep side reactions in generations 2 and 3 of the reaction cycle. In some incarnations, the geometry and composition of the fuel cartridge may be configured to maximize the probability of the pep side reaction.

In other incarnations, natural hydrogen may be added to the He3 fuel to take advantage of the occurrence of the pep side reaction. The ratio of natural hydrogen added to the He3 fuel depends on the attained reaction characteristics and is limited by the number of pep reactions that can occur in the fuel mix.

There are incarnations of the systems and methods described herein that are configured to induce a self-sustaining cycle of a pep-reaction chain, leading to a proton burn wave from He3-He3 fusion reactions, fueling further pep-reactions within the fuel. The systems and methods of this pep-He3-He3 -cycle take advantage of the high density levels beyond 10⁴ g/cm³ where two protons and an electron merge into a Deuterium. This will set free a neutrino and a gamma radiation of around 1.02 MeV. At the given pressure and density levels, the Deuterium will quickly capture another proton, resulting in a gamma of around 5.49 MeV and a He3. Finally, this He3 can react with another He3 generated in the same way from a pep reaction and subsequent proton capture in the He3-He3 reaction described above (see Figure 8). This results in further raising the final speed of the proton burn wave.

In some incarnations, the systems and methods described herein are configured in such a way that the probability of pep side reactions is optimized. In certain incarnations, the probability may be optimized by a specific geometry of the fuel cartridge. In further incarnations, the probability may be optimized by increasing the kinetic impact velocity, which leads to increased pressure and density levels.

The systems and methods described herein are configured such that further side reactions are avoided. In some incarnations, further side reactions that are not mentioned above are avoided by a high ratio of protons. In some incarnations, unwanted side reactions may be avoided by the fact that the fast proton burn wave is strongly separated from the much slower alphas. 1.6. Burn efficiency and radiation loss

Following, burn efficiency and radiation losses may be considered in comparison to D-T.

Reaction a (3.52 MeV) n (14.08 MeV) 2p (2 x 5.73 MeV) a (1.43 MeV)

Products

Energy 20% 2 x 44.4% 11.4%

Output %

Bum wave - a bum wave

Mechanism Bootstrapping Enhancement and then stabilization

Speed 43,500 km/s - after bootstrapping 37,737 km/s - after stabilization

Radiation Loss Scenarios considering different radiation loss amounts

% radiation loss ^a burn ^wave energy balance p“ energy burn wave energy balance

According to the table, only 20% of the energy output of the D-T fusion reaction is allocated to charged products, i.e., alpha particles. Therefore, only 20% of the energy output is delivered to the alpha burn wave. In comparison, the table shows that 879^th of the energy output of the He3-He3 fusion reaction support the p⁺ burn wave, while the rest is received by the alpha particle. The gain side of the p⁺ burn wave in He3-He3 comes in much higher than the gain side of the alpha bum wave in D-T.

On the other hand, the power of radiation losses relates to Z², i.e. the square of the ion charge Z. So, radiation losses of He3-He3 are increased by a factor of 4 compared to D- T The total loss will then relate to this nower and the inverse of the bum wave velocitv In the case of D-T, the energy of the alpha particles results in a velocity of around 13.500 km/s. In the case of a bootstrapping D-T reaction, there will be no additional speed. Considering the He3-He3 reaction, the velocity of the protons is already much higher at 5.73 MeV.

The system described herein is configured to utilize the relativistic impact of the ignitor. Referring to the non-exclusive, non-limiting example above, this results in the stabilizing burn front speed of 37.737 km/s.

At the end of the burning process, the cartridge is fully exploded. Very roughly speaking, there are two different options. First, the burning process could reach the end of the confinement time. This means the burning process would end because the bum front becomes unstable. In this case, the burn rate will decrease sharply in the final layers of the cartridge, leading to scattering of the last stages of the fusion reaction products on unbumed fuel. Consequently, the explosion front of the cartridge would have a lower average speed than the bum front and a wider distribution of the velocities of its particles.

The second possibility would be that the burning process stops because the cartridge’s end is reached. In other words, the burning process would end because the burn wave runs out of fuel. In this case, the explosion front of the cartridge should look like the burn wave running into the vacuum with the speed and the sharp velocity distribution discussed above for the fast proton burn wave.

In some incarnations described herein, the system is configured to reach the end of the burning process. In other incarnations, the system may also reach the end of the confinement time.

1.7. Applications

Given the high kinetic impact which is needed for such a relativistic shockwave, the systems and methods described herein are intended for applications in space. In that context, in-space application may refer to any location in space, but also any location on a moon, planet, or astronomical body.

In some incarnations, the charged reaction products may be utilized in combination with a magnetic system to collimate the beam. In some incarnations, the geometry and shape of the fuel cartridge may be configured to direct the beam of charged products and to achieve a controlled and directed detonation.

In some incarnations, the collimated beam of reaction particles may be applied to move masses and objects by impinging them onto the surface. In other incarnations, the collimated beam may be applied to change the structure, form or size of a body or object. In certain incarnations this may be realized through directing the charged particle beam such that the body or object gets ruptured.

In some incarnations, the charged reaction products may be utilized as a thrust to move an object or body in space. In certain incarnations, this may but does not need to include ablation processes that may contribute to specific impulse and thrust generation. In some incarnations, the object may be an astronomical body like e.g. an asteroid. In other incarnations the object may be a space vehicle.

In some incarnations, the strong gamma output of the pep and p⁺+D reactions may be utilized for deep penetration into the material of an astronomical body, like e.g. an asteroid (see (L.S.Horan IV 2021)). This penetration may be utilized for ablation of asteroid material and subsequent production of thrust.

In some incarnations, the charged reaction products may be utilized in combination with a mediating magnetic field. In some incarnations, the charged reaction products may be directed and shaped through a mediating magnetic field.

In some incarnations, the systems and methods described herein may be used for thermal conversion of the detonation. In certain incarnations, the heat of the thermal conversion may be utilized for several processes, e.g. manufacturing operations, industrial processes, chemical applications etc.

In some incarnations, the charged particle beam may be utilized to generate electricity. In certain incarnations, electricity may be generated through a method of direct energy conversion, e.g. by passing the charged reaction products through an electromagnetic field or other methods appreciated by a person of skill in the art.

In some incarnations, the systems and methods described herein may be utilized to apply mining processes on astronomical objects or bodies, which may include but are not limited to warming regoliths, melting ice, and devolatizing components. In some incarnations, the fast proton burn wave may be used to power a Laser system, while a Laser is not limited to any specific frequency range but may include the full electromagnetic spectrum from microwaves to gamma radiation.

In some incarnations, the resulting emitted x-rays of the system described herein may be utilized for electricity production by specific PV panels optimized for x-rays.

2. References

Balcomb, Booth, Cotter, Hedstrom, Robinson, Springer, Watson. "Nuclear Pulse Space Propulsion Systems." AEC Research and Development Report (unclassified), Las Alamos Scientific Laboratory, 1970.

Fortov, V. Intense shock waves on earth and in space. Springer, 2021.

Fortov, Vladimir. Extreme States of Matter. Springer, 2016.

L.S.Horan IV, D.E. Holland, M.Bruck Syal, J.E.Bevins, J. V. Wasem. "Impact of Neutron Energy on Asteroid Deflection Performance." Acta Aslronaiilica. 2021 : 29-42.

Majumdar, Rudrodip and Das, Debra. "Estimation of Total Fusion Reactivity and Contribution from Suprathermal Tail using 3 -parameter Dagum Ion Speed Distribution." arXiv, 2016.

National Physics Laboratory, Kaye&Laby. Tables of Physical & Chemical Constant, Chapter 4, Section 4. 7, Sub sect. 4. 7.4. Nuclear Fusion, n.d.

S. Atzeni, J. Meyer-Ter-Vehn. The Physics of Inertial Fusion: Beam Plasma Interaction, Hydrodynamics, Hot Dense Matter . Oxford University Press, 2009.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A method wherein an external ignitor that provides a kinetic impact of at least 1.5 TJ on a fuel cartridge, induces a relativistic shock wave that enhances an iterative cycle of fusion reactions and scattering of fusion reaction products leading to further fusion reactions, subsequently with an incremental slow down and stabilization, resulting in a stable proton burn wave with fully running fusion reactions.

2. A method of claim (1), where the ignitor provides a kinetic impact in the range of 1.5 TJ to 40 TJ.

3. A method wherein an external ignitor that provides a kinetic impact of at least 20 MJ on a fuel cartridge, induces a relativistic shock wave of at least 20,000 km/s that again serves as an internal ignitor maintaining pressure and density levels that enhance an iterative cycle of fusion reactions and scattering of fusion reaction products leading to further fusion reactions, subsequently with an incremental slow down and stabilization, resulting in a stable proton burn wave with fully running fusion reactions.

4. In some incarnations the method of claim (3) may be applied in such a way that the internal ignitor is used for a staging of the fuel cartridge, wherein the different stages may have different geometrical shapes.

5. The method of claims (1) - (4), wherein the ignitor is realized with any form of photon sail.

6. The method of claims (1) - (4), wherein the ignitor is realized with any form of projectile.

7. The method of claims (1) - (4), wherein the ignitor is realized with any form of beam accelerator where the beam can consist of any form of particles ranging from ions to particles in the microscopic range.

8. The method of claims (1) - (4), wherein the ignitor is realized with any form of accelerated ion beam.

9. The method of claims (1) - (4), wherein the ignitor is realized with any form of proton bum wave or proton beam.

10. The method of claims (1) - (9), wherein the fuel cartridge is filled with He3, wherein the relativistic shock wave leads to the He3-He3 - 2p + a +12.9 MeV fusion reaction and subsequently a stable proton bum wave.

11. The method of claims (1) - (9), wherein the fuel cartridge is filled with a mixture of He3 and natural hydrogen, the mixture may but does not need to be homogeneous.

12. The method of claims (1) - (9), wherein the fuel cartridge is filled with natural hydrogen. The method of claims (11) and (12), wherein the pep reaction cycle is induced comprising the reaction a) p⁺ + e" + p⁺ - D + v_e + y + 1.44 MeV, where the Deuterium is captured in the 2^nd reaction b) p⁺ + D - He3 + y + 5.43 MeV and then leads to the fusion reaction c) He3 + He3

2p⁺ + a +12.9 MeV, subsequently leading to a fast and stable proton burn wave. The method of claims (1) - (13), wherein the fuel cartridge is geometrically shaped in a way to strongly direct the burning process. Any of the methods of claims (1) - (14) wherein the resulting charged particle beam is controlled and directed using a magnetic system. Any of the methods of claims (1) - (15) wherein the resulting charged particle beam is utilized to move masses or objects in space, and/or change the structure, form and/or size of the body or object. Any of the methods of claims (1) - (16) wherein the resulting charged particle beam is utilized as a thrust to move a body or obj ect, which may but does not need to include the utilization of ablation processes that may contribute to specific impulse and thrust generation. A method of claim (16) and (17) wherein the object may be an astronomical body. A method of claim (16) and (17) wherein the object may be any form of space vehicle. Any of the methods of claims (16) - (18) wherein in addition to the charged particle beam the gamma output of the pep and p⁺+D reactions is utilized for deep penetration into the material of an astronomical body, like e.g. an asteroid. This penetration may be utilized for ablation of asteroid material and subsequent production of thrust. A method of claim (20) wherein the combination of gamma output and charged particles may be utilized to initiate a fast hydro response in deeper layers of the material of an astronomical body, like e.g. an asteroid. This may be utilized for additional production of thrust. Any of the methods of claims (1) - (14) wherein the charged particle beam may be utilized for thermal conversion of the detonation and use of the generated heat. Any of the methods of claims (1) - (14) wherein the charged particle beam may be utilized to generate electricity through any form of direct energy conversion that is appreciated by a person of skill in the art. Any of the methods of claims (1) - (14) wherein the fast proton burn wave may be utilized to apply mining processes on astronomical objects or bodies, which may include but are not limited to warming regoliths, melting ice, and devolatizing components. Any of the methods of claims (1) - (14) wherein the fast proton burn wave may be utilized to power a Laser system, while a Laser is not limited to any specific frequency range, but may include the full electromagnetic spectrum from microwaves to gamma radiation. Any of the methods of claims (1) - (14) wherein a specific backend may be installed at the cartridge that may consist of heavy ions or any other material that can be used to achieve high conversion rate of the energy of the reaction products into x-rays. A method of claim (26) wherein the backend of such cartridge may be optimized for a soft x-ray spectrum.

A method of claims (26) - (27) wherein the x-ray spectrum may be utilized for electricity production by specific PV panels optimized for x-rays.