The smallest Avgi fusion torch is actually the most recent design in the family, owing to the difficulties of miniaturizing the systems driving nuclear fusion. By cooling the fuel with a laser and passing it through an extremely powerful magnetic field, it can be spin polarized, aligning the nuclear spins of the deuterons to reduce ignition requirements and direct some of the emitted neutrons away from the spacecraft. While spin polarization is used on all Avgi fusion torches, it allows the Spark in particular to be far lighter and more compact than would otherwise be possible, reducing the required currents to drive the pinch and the mass of the necessary radiation shielding.
The magnetic nozzle is designed to support a variety of components that can be slotted in to provide various effects, from injecting additional propellant to improve thrust to tapping energy from the expanding fusion plasma to power a ship's systems.
| Category: | Engines |
|---|---|
| Price: | 1,800,000 |
| Mass: | 333 tons |
| Outfit Space: | 33 |
| Engine Space: | 33 |
| Thrust: | 432,000, drawing 540.0/s, heating 2700/s |