Editing Nuclear pulse propulsion (section)

===Project Daedalus===
{{Main|Project Daedalus}}
Project Daedalus was a study conducted between 1973 and 1978 by the [[British Interplanetary Society]] (BIS) to design an interstellar uncrewed spacecraft that could reach a nearby star within about 50 years. A dozen scientists and engineers led by [[Alan Bond (engineer)|Alan Bond]] worked on the project. At the time [[nuclear fusion|fusion]] research appeared to be making great strides, and in particular, [[inertial confinement fusion]] (ICF) appeared to be adaptable as a rocket engine.

ICF uses small pellets of fusion fuel, typically [[Lithium hydride#Lithium deuteride|lithium deuteride]] (<sup>6</sup>Li<sup>2</sup>H) with a small [[deuterium]]/[[tritium]] trigger at the center. The pellets are thrown into a reaction chamber where they are hit on all sides by [[laser]]s or another form of beamed energy. The heat generated by the beams explosively compresses the pellet to the point where fusion takes place. The result is a hot [[Plasma (physics)|plasma]], and a very small "explosion" compared to the minimum size bomb that would be required to instead create the necessary amount of fission.

For Daedalus, this process was to be run within a large [[electromagnet]] that formed the rocket engine. After the reaction, ignited by electron beams, the magnet funnelled the hot gas to the rear for thrust. Some of the energy was diverted to run the ship's systems and engine. In order to make the system safe and energy efficient, Daedalus was to be powered by a [[helium-3]] fuel collected from [[Jupiter]].