[en] Loss of alpha particles from compact torsatron reactors with M = 6,9, and 12, where M is the number of field periods, is studied. The direct loss is a relatively get weak function of radius and energy and varies from ∼33% for M = 6 to ∼18% for M = 12. Loss of alpha particles through scattering into the loss region is calculated using the Fokker-Planck equation and found to contribute an additional alpha-particle energy loss of ∼15%. The consequences of these relatively large losses for torsatron reactor design are discussed. A figure of merit that characterizes the orbit confinement for a magnetic configuration is deduced and used to show how the direct alpha-particle losses might be reduced. 22 refs., 15 figs., 3 tabs