DOCSLIB.ORG

Nuclear Pulse Propulsion: Orion and Beyond

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Nuclear Pulse Propulsion: Orion and Beyond AlAA 2000-3856 Nuclear Pulse Propulsion - Orion and Beyond G.R. Schmidt, J.A. Bunornetti and P.J. Morton NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, Alabama 36th AIAMASMEEAWASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit 16-19 July 2000 Huntsville, AIabam a AIAA 2000-3865 NLCLEAR PULSE PROPULSION - ORION AND BE\I*OND G.R. Schmidt,* J.A. Bonometti** and P.J. Morton+++ IWSA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alnbnnin 35812 A bgtract As alL\a>s. cost is a principal factor driving the need for systems with much greater performance. The race to the Moon dominated manned space However. when considering transportation of human flight during the 1960's. and culminated in Project crews over distances of billions of kilometers, safety Apollo. which placed 12 humans on the Moon. becomes an equal if not more important concern. The Unbeknownst to the public at that time, several U.S. biggest safety issues stem from the severe radiation government agencies sponsored a project that could environment of space and limitations imposed by have conceivably placed 150 people on the Moon, and human physiology and psychology. Although eventually sent crewed expeditions to Mars and the countermeasures. such as artificial graviw. could outer planets. These feats could have possibly been greatly mitigate these hazards. one of the most accomplished during the same period of time as straightforward remedies is to significantly reduce trip Apollo. and for approximately the same cost. The time by travelling at very high-energy. hyperbolic project. code-named Orion. featured an extraordinary trajectories. This will demand propulsion systems that propulsion method known as Niiclear Pulse can deliver far greater exhaust momentum per unit Pni,n:rlsioti. The concept is probably as radical todaj mass (i.e.. specific impulse or Isp) than modern-day as It was at the dawn of the space age. However. its chemical rockets. and thct can operate at significantlj de\ elopment appeared to be so promising that it was larger pouer densities than current high-performance o~l)hi. political and non-tzchnical considerations that electric propulsion s>stems. it ii as not used to extend humanity's reach throughout Many advanced propulsion concepts have been the solar system and quite possibly to the stars. This identified that could. at least theoretically. meet these paper discusses the rationale for nuclear pulse needs. The only problem is that virtually all of these propulsion and presents a general historq of the technologies. such as fusion. antimatter and beamed- concept. focusing particularly on Project Orion. It enerzy sails. have fundamental scientific issues and describes some of the reexaminations being done in practical weaknesses that must be resolved before they this area and discusses some of the new ideas that can be seriousl) considered for actual applications. could mitigate many of the political and environmental For instance. fusion is limited by the fact that we issues associated with the concept. are still far away from demonstrating a device having energy gains sufficient for commercial power. let alone Introduction space applications. Antimatter, while appealing due to its high specific energy, is severely hampered by The 20th century saw tremendous progress in the extremely low propulsion efficiencies and the high science and engineering of chemical rockets. These costs of current antimatter production methods. advances ushered in the deployment of extensive Beamed energy offers great potential too, but requires satellite systems in earth orbit, conveyance of materials far beyond current state-of-the-art and sophisticated scientific probes into the farthest reaches tremendous investment in power beaming of the solar system, and transport of humans to and infrastructure. from the Moon. Although these feats have been We are confident that many of these issues will impressive. chemical rocketry has more or less reached be overcome. but there is no guarantee that systems the limits of its performance. Accomplishing the based on these technologies could be fielded any time future goals of establishing human settlements on soon. This state-of-affairs points to the disappointing Mars. conducting rapid -'omniplanetary" transportation fact that none of the familiar advanced. high-power throughout the solar system. and eventually travelling density propulsion concepts could. with a any degree to the stars will require revolutionary advancements in of certainty. meet the goals of ambitious space flight propulsion capability . within the next 30 or even SO years. This is especially * [)eput! Ilanagcr. Propulhion Research Center. Sr. llembcr :\If\:\. *. \;uclc'ur f'ropul.;ic)n t3igincer. Propulsion Research Centcr. \Ismher \I \ \ ** Flight S! stems l-:ngincer. Propulsion Research Ccnter. llember .\I:\.\. Cop! right C 2000 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Inc. No cop! right is asserted in the United States under Title 17. U.S. Code. The U.S. Government has a royalty-free license to exercise all rights under the copyright claimed here for Governmental purposes. All other rights are reserved by the copyright owner. true in light ot'the consenative tiscal environment of These 5:udit.s identitit'd the two main issues in the post-Cold War era. \.\. hich could limit the jizable attaining a high Isp Lrirh this t>pe ofsjstem. First is inb estment needed to resol\ e the fundamental ij:UtS the snerg) per unit ma.. or \/?C'~.//i~,.i.it'l'lofthe associated with these conc2pts. Moreo\er. deb sloping detonations. The eftec:i~sexhaust Lelocit) and Isp are actual Lehicles based on these technologies Jnd their proponional to the square root of the energ) distributed required infrastructure could realisticall, cost on the over the entire mass of the explosive charge. and point order of hundreds of billions of dollars. to the need to achieve as high of specific yield as The rather bleak prospects for near-term high- possible. The second consideration is designing the Isp high-power densit! propulsion improve hou e\ cr Lehicle to cope \\ ith the mechanical and thermal effects \\hen we reconsider an ?xtraordinan concept :hat gren of the blast. I\ hich placss a maximum limit on the out of nuclear weapons research during World War 11. uti I i zable en erg! ,. This concept, Nuclear Pulse Propulsion (NPP). The next significant step was the idea of using an represents a radical departure from conventional explosive charge with much higher specific energy than approaches to propulsion in that it utilizes the highly dynamite. namely the atom bomb. In contrast with energetic and efficient energy release from nuclear chemical explosives. the specific energies of nuclear explosions directly to produce thrust. reactions are so high that vehicle design constraints At first it would seem ridiculous to think that will limit the performance before the energy limit is anything could survive the hundreds of thousand- reached. Uranium fission has an energy density of degree temperatures at the periphery of a nuclear -7.8 s 10- MI hg. corresponding tu a masiinum explosion. much less than the multi-million degree theoretical Isp of - i .3 Y IO6 sec. Surprisingly, this temperatures at the core. However as nuclear research value is only half the maximum Isp attainable from advanced in the 1950's and 1960's. it became apparent fusion of Deuterium and Helium-3. which yields a that some materials could survive a nuclear detonation. product kinetic energq equivalent to - 2.2 x 10' secs. and survive it well enough to provide a controllable .A proposal for us? of fission-based e\plosives ccni ersion of blast energ) into vehicle kinetic energ) 5rst made t; Stanislaus Ulani in 1946. followed blosr intriguing ot'all is that this approach could b! some preliminarq calculations by F. Reines and deliLer specific impulses bet\.ceen 10.000 secs up to L lam in 1947. The first full mathematical treatment of IO0.000 secs LV ith average power densities equal to or the concept was published b, Cornelius Everett and greater than chemical rockets. using existing Ulam in 1955. [3] The U.S. Atomic Energy technolog,. Commission was auarded a patent for the concept. The development of nuclear pulse propulsion termed "external nuclear pulse method." following during the 1950'5 and 1960's looked so promising that initial application in 1959. [J] it u as onlq through political and non-technical The earliest ph! sical demonstration and proof of circumstances that it neber became a realitq. The bulk the concept's merit occurred in an experiment of this work occurred under the Orior7 program. a 7- conceibed bj phjsicist Leu Allen. Code-named ,ear project sponsored b! the U.S. government from "Viper." the ekperiment \\as conducted at the Eniwetok 1958 to 1965. Had the program progressed to flight Island nuclear facilit) in the Pacific Ocean, and status. it is conceivable that the U.S. would have been involved detonating a 20-kiloton nuclear device IO able to place large bases on the Moon and send human meters away from two - 1 -meter-diameter. graphite- crews to Mars, Jupiter and Saturn within the same time coated steel spheres. [5] The wires holding the spheres period as Apollo, and possibly for the same cost. were vaporized immediately. but not so for the spheres It is highly unlikely that the Orion envisioned themselves, Some time later and several kilometers back then would be acceptable by today's political and from ground zero. the spheres were recovered, with environmental standards. However, it does provide an only a few thousandths of an inch of graphite ablated excellent starting point for presenting some new ideas from their surfaces. [6] Most importantly. their on nuclear pulse propulsion. which could deliver not interiors were completely unscathed. onl, better performance than the original concept but could mitigate many of the issues associated with Types of Concepts nuclear proliferation, environment contam ination.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Nasa Tm X-1864 *
    NASA TECHNICAL. • £HP2fKit NASA TM X-1864 * ... MEMORANDUM oo fe *' > ;ff f- •* '• . ;.*• f PROPULSION • FOR *MANN1D E30PLORATION-k '* *Of THE SOEAE " • » £ Moedkel • - " *' ' ' y Lem$ Research Center Cleveland, Qbt® NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SFACE ADMINISTRATION • WASHINGTON, D. €, * AUCUST 1969 NASA TM X-1864 PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR MANNED EXPLORATION OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM By W. E. Moeckel Lewis Research Center Cleveland, Ohio NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION For sale by the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and. Technical Information Springfield, Virginia 22151 - CFSTI price $3.00 ABSTRACT What propulsion systems are in sight for fast interplanetary travel? Only a few show promise of reducing trip times to values comparable to those of 16th century terrestrial expeditions. The first portion of this report relates planetary round-trip times to the performance parameters of two types of propulsion systems: type I is specific-impulse limited (with high thrust), and type n is specific-mass limited (with low thrust). The second part of the report discusses advanced propulsion concepts of both types and evaluates their limitations. The discussion includes nuclear-fission . rockets (solid, liquid, and gaseous core), nuclear-pulse propulsion, nuclear-electric rockets, and thermonuclear-fusion rockets. Particular attention is given to the last of these, because it is less familiar than the others. A general conclusion is that the more advanced systems, if they prove feasible, will reduce trip time to the near planets by factors of 3 to 5, and will make several outer planets accessible to manned exploration. PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR MANNED EXPLORATION OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM* byW. E. Moeckel Lewis Research Center SUMMARY What propulsion systems are in sight for fast interplanetary travel? Only a few show promise of reducing trip times to values comparable to those of 16th century terrestrial expeditions.
    [Show full text]
  • Pulsed Fusion Space Propulsion: Computational Ideal Magneto-Hydro Dynamics of a Magnetic Flux Compression Reaction Chamber
    Pulsed Fusion Space Propulsion: Computational Ideal Magneto-Hydro Dynamics of a Magnetic Flux Compression Reaction Chamber G. Romanelli Master of Science Thesis Space Systems Engineering PULSED FUSION SPACE PROPULSION: COMPUTATIONAL IDEAL MAGNETO-HYDRO DYNAMICS OFA MAGNETIC FLUX COMPRESSION REACTION CHAMBER by Gherardo ROMANELLI to obtain the degree of Master of Science at the Delft University of Technology, to be defended publicly on Friday February 26, 2016 at 10:00 AM. Student number: 4299876 Thesis committee: Dr. A. Cervone, TU Delft, supervisor Prof. Dr. E. K. A. Gill, TU Delft Dr. Ir. E. Mooij, TU Delft Prof. A. Mignone, Politecnico di Torino An electronic version of this thesis is available at http://repository.tudelft.nl/. To boldly go where no one has gone before. James T. Kirk ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First of all I would like to thank my supervisor Dr. A. Cervone who has always sup- ported me despite my “quite exotic” interests. He left me completely autonomous in shaping my thesis project, and still, was always there every time I needed help. Then, I would of course like to thank Prof. A. Mignone who decided to give his contribute to this seemingly crazy project of mine. His advice arrived just in time to give an happy ending to this story. Il ringraziamento più grande, però, va di certo alla mia famiglia. Alla mia mamma e a mio babbo, perché hanno sempre avuto fiducia in me e non hanno mai chiesto ragioni o spiegazioni alle mie scelte. Ai miei nonni, perché se di punto in bianco, un giorno di novembre ho deciso di intraprendere questa lunga strada verso l’Olanda, l’ho potuto fare anche per merito loro.
    [Show full text]
  • Deuterium – Tritium Pulse Propulsion with Hydrogen As Propellant and the Entire Space-Craft As a Gigavolt Capacitor for Ignition
    Deuterium – Tritium pulse propulsion with hydrogen as propellant and the entire space-craft as a gigavolt capacitor for ignition. By F. Winterberg University of Nevada, Reno Abstract A deuterium-tritium (DT) nuclear pulse propulsion concept for fast interplanetary transport is proposed utilizing almost all the energy for thrust and without the need for a large radiator: 1. By letting the thermonuclear micro-explosion take place in the center of a liquid hydrogen sphere with the radius of the sphere large enough to slow down and absorb the neutrons of the DT fusion reaction, heating the hydrogen to a fully ionized plasma at a temperature of ~ 105 K. 2. By using the entire spacecraft as a magnetically insulated gigavolt capacitor, igniting the DT micro-explosion with an intense GeV ion beam discharging the gigavolt capacitor, possible if the space craft has the topology of a torus. 1. Introduction The idea to use the 80% of the neutron energy released in the DT fusion reaction for nuclear micro-bomb rocket propulsion, by surrounding the micro-explosion with a thick layer of liquid hydrogen heated up to 105 K thereby becoming part of the exhaust, was first proposed by the author in 1971 [1]. Unlike the Orion pusher plate concept, the fire ball of the fully ionized hydrogen plasma can here be reflected by a magnetic mirror. The 80% of the energy released into 14MeV neutrons cannot be reflected by a magnetic mirror for thermonuclear micro-bomb propulsion. This was the reason why for the Project Daedalus interstellar probe study of the British Interplanetary Society [2], the neutron poor deuterium-helium 3 (DHe3) reaction was chosen.
    [Show full text]
  • Hyperspace  NASA BPP Program  Books 8
    Advanced Space Propulsion Concepts for Interstellar Travel Gregory V. Meholic [email protected] Planets HR 8799 140 LY 11/14/08 Updated 9/25/2019 1 Presentation Objectives and Caveats ▪ Provide a high-level, “evolutionary”, information-only overview of various propulsion technology concepts that, with sufficient development (i.e. $), may lead mankind to the stars. ▪ Only candidate concepts for a vehicle’s primary interstellar propulsion system will be discussed. No attitude control No earth-to-orbit launch No traditional electric systems No sail-based systems No beamed energy ▪ None of the following will be given, assumed or implied: Recommendations on specific mission designs Developmental timelines or cost estimates ▪ Not all propulsion options will be discussed – that would be impossible! 2 Chapters 1. The Ultimate Space Mission 2. The Solar System and Beyond 3. Challenges of Human Star Flight 4. “Rocket Science” Basics 5. Conventional Mass Ejection Propulsion Systems State-of-the-Art Possible Improvements 6. Alternative Mass Ejection Systems Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion Matter/Antimatter Other Concepts 7. Physics-Based Concepts Definitions and Things to Remember Space-Time Warp Drives Fundamental Force Coupling Alternate Dimension / Hyperspace NASA BPP Program Books 8. Closing Information 3 Chapter 1: The Ultimate Space Mission 4 The Ultimate Space Mission For humans to travel to the stars and return to Earth within a “reasonable fraction” (around 15 years) of a human lifetime. ▪ Why venture beyond our Solar System? Because we have to - humans love to explore!!! Visit the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud – Theoretical home to long-period comets Investigate the nature of the interstellar medium and its influence on the solar system (and vice versa) – Magnetic fields, low-energy galactic cosmic rays, composition, etc.
    [Show full text]
  • Energy Sources for Propulsion To, and for Distributed Use On, Mars
    id10495406 pdfMachine by Broadgun Software - a great PDF writer! - a great PDF creator! - http://www.pdfmachine.com http://www.broadgun.com Mehtapress 2015 Print - ISSN : 2319–9814 Journal of Online - ISSN : 2319–9822 SpFauclle pEapxerploration Full Paper WWW.MEHTAPRESS.COM Mitchell Swartz Energy sources for propulsion to, and for SPSR distributed use on, Mars Received : July 06, 2015 Accepted : August 12, 2015 Published : October 14, 2015 *Corresponding author’s Name & Add. Mitchell Swartz SPSR MORE POWER IS NEEDED Curiosity, in space, measured 1.8 millisieverts per day, with 97% from galactic cosmic rays and the rest from Mars is the future. How do we know that? Because solar particles. This is a very high level which is six times as many people signed up (202,586) for a associated with carcinogenesis and other unwanted one-way ride than did for the Affordable Care Act effects. In Mars, this exposure decreased to circa 0.7 which means that people would rather buy a ticket to millisieverts per day, similar to the exposure received the vast unknown than get healthcare as they age. on the International Space Station. What is holding back the transport of humans to Mars, Other dangers beyond the unwanted irradiation and its colonization, is energy. We need more powerful include biological changes from bone loss and muscle rockets to take people there quicker, and we need more atrophy to electrolyte changes. The goal is to decrease accessible, more portable distributed power sources the transit to Mars in less time than 3 months each for exploring, making outposts on, and terraforming way, compared to the 12 to 16 months, as it is now.
    [Show full text]
  • A Propulsion Oriented Study of Mission Modes for Manned Mars Landing
    NASA TECHNICAL I N.1S4 TM X-53265 MEMORANDUM June 29, 196: A PROPULSION ORIENTED STUDY OF MISSION MODES FOR MANNED MARS LANDING By G. R. WOODCOCK Future Projects Office NASA George C. Mdrshall Spdce Flight Center, Huntsuille, A labama TECH LIBRARY KAFB, NM A PROPULSION ORIENTED STUDY OF MISSION MODES FOR MANNED MARS LANDING G. R. Woodcock George C. Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, Alabama ABSTRACT Results are given of a systems analysis of manned Mars landing missions for a variety of mission modes, including chemical, nuclear, and electric propulsion, and aerodynamic braking. Consistent ground rules and assumptions were used. The baseline mission requires 450 days for execution and places 4 men on the surface of Mars for 20 days. Advanced missions are discussed. Each mission was analyzed assuming first Saturn V, and then a large reusable Post-Saturn ve­ hicle to be available, in order to provide a comparison. A cost advantage was found for the reusable Post-Saturn for all but very minimal planetary programs. Of the available technologies, the graphite nuclear rocket was found generally preferable to other systems for mission propulsion. Advanced nuclear propul­ sion, such as ORION, was found fo have great potential for advanced missions. NASA - GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER NASA - GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM X-53265 June 29, 1965 A PROPULSION ORIENTED STUDY OF MISSION MODES FOR MANNED MARS LANDING BY G. R. Woodcock FUTURE PROJECTS OFFICE -11111111i1 I 11111III I1111 I Ill Ill Ill1 I II I1 I I TABLE OF CONTENTS Page SUMMARY ........................................... 1 INTRODUCTION........
    [Show full text]
  • Nuclear Propulsion ..;
    This document is made available through the declassification efforts and research of John Greenewald, Jr., creator of: The Black Vault The Black Vault is the largest online Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) document clearinghouse in the world. The research efforts here are responsible for the declassification of MILLIONS of pages released by the U.S. Government & Military. Discover the Truth at: http://www.theblackvault.com NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MARYLAND 20755-6000 FOIA Case: 103629A 12 September 2018 JOHN GREENEWALD 27305 W LIVE OAK ROAD SUITE 1203 CASTAIC CA 91384 Dear Mr. Greenewald: This responds to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request of 19 February 2018 for Intellipedia records on Project Pluto. As stated in our initial response to you dated 7 March 2018, your request has been assigned Case Number 103629. For purposes of this request and based on the information you provided, you are considered an "all other" requester. As such, you are allowed 2 hours of search and the duplication of 100 pages at no cost. There are no assessable fees for this request. Your request has been processed under the provisions of the FOIA. For your information, NSA provides a service of common concern for the Intelligence Community (IC) by serving as the executive agent for Intelink. As such, NSA provides technical services that enable users to access and share information with peers and stakeholders across the IC and DoD. Intellipedia pages are living documents that may be originated by any user organization, and any user organization may contribute to or edit pages after their origination.
    [Show full text]
  • Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Systems (Last Updated in January 2021) Eric PROUST Eric Proust
    Lecture Series on NUCLEAR SPACE POWER & PROPULSION SYSTEMS -2- Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Systems (Last updated in January 2021) Eric PROUST Eric Proust To cite this version: Eric Proust. Lecture Series on NUCLEAR SPACE POWER & PROPULSION SYSTEMS -2- Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Systems (Last updated in January 2021) Eric PROUST. Engineering school. France. 2021. hal-03147500 HAL Id: hal-03147500 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-03147500 Submitted on 19 Feb 2021 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. FROM RESEARCH TO INDUSTRY LECTURE SERIES ON NUCLEAR SPACE POWER & PROPULSION SYSTEMS -2- Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Systems Eric PROUST Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives - www.cea.fr Last update: January 2021 Lecture Series on SPACE NUCLEAR POWER & PROPULSION SYSTEMS -2- Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Systems (last updated in January 2021) Eric PROUST Nuclear Space Power & Propulsion in the last 2 month news Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Nuclear Electric Propulsion Space Nuclear Power Reactor
    [Show full text]
  • Pulsed Fission – Fusion (Puff) Phase 1 Report
    Pulsed Fission-Fusion (PuFF) – Phase I Report Robert B. Adams, Ph.D. National Aeronautics and Space Administration George C. Marshall Space Flight Center Jason Cassibry, Ph.D. University of Alabama in Huntsville Propulsion Research Center David E. Bradley Yetispace, Inc. Leo Fabisinski International Space Systems, Inc. Geoffrey Statham, D.Phil. ERC, Inc. Executive Summary In September 2013 the NASA Innovative Advanced Concept (NIAC) organization awarded a phase I contract to the PuFF team. Our phase 1 proposal discussed a pulsed fission-fusion propulsion system that injected gaseous deuterium (D) and tritium (T) as a mixture in a column, surrounded concentrically by gaseous uranium fluoride (UF6) and then an outer shell of liquid lithium. A high power current would flow down the liquid lithium and the resulting Lorentz force would compress the column by roughly a factor of 10. The compressed column would reach criticality and a combination of fission and fusion reactions would occur. The fission reactions would further energize the fusion center, and the fusion reactions would generate neutrons that promote more complete burnup of the fission fuel. The lithium liner provides some help as a neutron reflector but also acts as a propulsive medium, being converted to plasma which is then expanded against a magnetic nozzle for thrust. The expansion of the (primarily) lithium plasma against the nozzle’s magnetic field inducts a current that is used to charge the system for the next pulse. Our concept also included secondary injection of a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) plasmoid that would provide a secondary compression direction, axially against the column, and push the column away from the injection manifold, increasing the manifold’s survivability.
    [Show full text]
  • The Interstellar Conspiracy
    Draft Analog Science-Fact article. July 2004 The Interstellar Conspiracy Les Johnson Gregory L. Matloff, Ph.D. What if.. If we were designing a human-carrying starship that could be launched in the not- too-distant future, it would almost certainly not use a warp drive to instantaneously bounce around the universe, as is done in Isaac Asimov’s classic Foundation series or in episodes of Star Trek or Star Wars. Sadly, those starships that seem to be within technological reach could not even travel at high relativistic speeds, as does the interstellar ramjet in Poul Anderson’s Tau Zero. Warp-speeds seem to be well outside the realm of currently understood physical law; proton-fusing ramjets may never be technologically feasible (Matloff, 2000). Perhaps fortunately in our terrorist-plagued world, the economics of antimatter may never be attractive for large-scale starship propulsion (Mallove and Matloff, 1989). But interstellar travel will be possible within a few centuries, although it will certainly not be as fast as we might prefer. If humans learn how to hibernate, perhaps we will sleep our way to the stars, as do the crew in A. E. van Vogt’s Far Centaurus. However, as discussed in a landmark paper in The Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, the most feasible approach to transporting a small human population to the planets (if any) of Alpha Centauri is the worldship (Bond and Martin, 1984). Such craft have often been featured in science fiction. See for example Arthur C. Clarke’s Rendezvous with Rama, and Robert A. Heinlein’s Orphans of the Sky.
    [Show full text]
  • M^^^S^^^Fflu^Nro^M
    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HIGH-ENERGY PHYSICS CERN COURIER VOLUME 44 NUMBER 9 NOVEMBER 2004 m^^^S^^^fflu^nro^M ACCELERATORS ANNIVERSARY Researchers make breakthrough ICTP celebrates four decades of with laser-driven plasmas p5 international co-operation p30 Designing for the Next Generation I fat6" VOYAGE] Our experience, future GLASSMAN EUROPE Tel: +44(0) 1256 883007 One supplier, Glassman Europe, provides design engineers Fax: +44 (0) 1256 883017 with a comprehensive range of well regulated high-voltage GLASSMAN USA Tel: (908) 638-3800 Fax: (908) 638-3700 DC power supplies, boasting a unique combination of GLASSMAN JAPAN high-performance, small-size and light-weight products for Tel: (045)902-9988 Fax: (045) 902-2268 years ahead. GLASSMAN J! europe www.glassmanhv.com CONTENTS Covering current developments in high- energy physics and related fields worldwide CERN Courier is distributed to member-state governments, institutes and laboratories affiliated with CERN, and to their personnel. It is published monthly, except for January and August, in English and French editions. The views expressed are not CERN necessarily those of the CERN management. Editor Christine Sutton CERN, 1211 Geneva 23, Switzerland E-mail: [email protected] Fax:+41 (0)22 785 0247 Web: cerncourier.com COURIER Advisory board James Gillies, Rolf Landua and Maximilian Metzger VOLUME 44 NUMBER 9 NOVEMBER 2004 Laboratory correspondents: Argonne National Laboratory (US): D Ayres Brookhaven National Laboratory (US): P Yamin Cornell University (US): D G Cassel DESY Laboratory
    [Show full text]
  • Herefore, Given Our Current Understanding of Physics, the Most Cost Effective, Viable Option for Interstellar Travel in Twenty Years Will Be a Beamed Energy System
    20 Year Plan for Interstellar Space Propulsion Interstellar space propulsion with the Interstellar Research Group is very much at the same point in its timeline that rocket propulsion was with the Verein für Raumschiffahrt in the 1930s. Many lessons between both groups can be drawn, though hopefully the former of these groups will keep an eye on who is in power if the military begins to take interest. Step 1: Develop the technology Step one is to create a roadmap that uses feasible technology at an affordable price-point. Humanity would love to go to another star system, but not if it bankrupts them in the process. In addition, a 20-year analysis on promising interstellar propulsion technologies should be based on current physics. As much as warp drives and worm holes would be great, they are currently not possible in our current understanding. A quick flip through K. F. Long’s “Deep Space Propulsion” [1] shows us the most promising realms: Electric propulsion Nuclear fusion and fission propulsion Beamed energy propulsion External nuclear pulse propulsion Antimatter propulsion Out of these five technologies, external nuclear pulse propulsion and the combination of beamed energy, potentially in combination with electric propulsion, are the two most promising areas. If humanity had to travel to another solar system by 2025, external nuclear pulse propulsion would likely be the only way forward due to systems such as Project Orion and Project Daedalus being the interstellar propulsion technologies with the highest Technology Readiness Level (TRL). If given a longer time horizon however, analysis by Lubin [2] concludes that beamed energy will outperform every other technology: Even a perfectly efficient antimatter propulsion system.
    [Show full text]