In space startup method for nuclear fusion rocket engines

A method for providing power for startup of a nuclear fusion reactor, the method comprising:

• generating, in a startup system for a field-reversed configuration (FRC) fusion reactor, heat energy by combusting a fuel in one or more combustion chambers, wherein the combusting of the fuel produces a combustion product;
• generating, by a heat engine, a first electrical power from the heat energy of the startup system;
• starting, by one or more radio frequency antennas of the FRC fusion reactor, a fusion nuclear reaction of plasma inside the FRC fusion reactor using the first electrical power;
• generating, by the heat engine, a second electrical power from heat generated by the fusion nuclear reaction;
• and
• producing, using the second electrical power, the fuel for the startup system from the combustion product.