Pulsar Fusion

Pulsar Fusion, a UK-based aerospace company headquartered in Bletchley, is developing a portfolio of advanced in-space propulsion systems. The firm was founded in 2011 by Richard Dinan, an entrepreneur who has dedicated over a decade to the study of thermonuclear physics and previously co-founded other technology ventures. Dinan's interest in fusion was sparked by its potential to solve significant global challenges and was further fueled by his fascination with the fundamental physics of the universe. The company has received grant funding from the UK government and the UK Space Agency to advance its research and development efforts.

Pulsar Fusion's business strategy encompasses both current market demands and future deep-space applications. For the contemporary space industry, the company manufactures and sells several types of advanced rocket engines, including hybrid rockets and Hall Effect Thrusters (HETs). These electric propulsion systems, such as the LEOBEAR, MOONRANGER, and MARSRANGER series, are designed for satellite attitude control, precision maneuvering, and extending orbital lifetimes. The company has successfully tested its hybrid rocket engines, which use a liquid oxidant and a solid propellant, at a UK Ministry of Defence site and in Switzerland. In a notable partnership, Pulsar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Thales Alenia Space concerning its 5kW MOONRANGER Hall-effect thrusters.

The company's long-term and most ambitious objective is the development of Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) engines. This technology aims to harness the power of nuclear fusion to create a propulsion system capable of achieving speeds up to 500,000 mph (805,000 km/h). Such a system could dramatically reduce interplanetary travel times, potentially shortening a mission to Mars to around 30 days or a trip to Saturn from eight years to just two. The DFD is designed to provide both thrust and electrical power for spacecraft, a crucial dual-functionality for long-duration missions. To achieve this, Pulsar is constructing an 8-meter wide fusion chamber with the goal of conducting a test firing in 2027. The company is leveraging advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, in partnership with Princeton Satellite Systems, to simulate and understand the complex behavior of plasma under electromagnetic confinement. Pulsar has recently expanded its operational footprint by opening an office in Austin, Texas, to better engage with US clients and investors and has built the UK's largest space-grade vacuum chambers for ground testing.

Keywords: Pulsar Fusion, space propulsion, nuclear fusion rocket, Direct Fusion Drive, Hall Effect Thruster, Richard Dinan, electric propulsion, hybrid rocket engine, in-space propulsion, aerospace technology, deep space exploration, interplanetary travel, plasma physics, satellite engines, Bletchley, Thales Alenia Space, Princeton Satellite Systems, Sunbird fusion rocket, advanced propulsion, space logistics, fusion energy