Principium and Keep an Eye on the Interstellar Societies Tend to Encourage
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Planets Transiting Non-Eclipsing Binaries
A&A 570, A91 (2014) Astronomy DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201323112 & c ESO 2014 Astrophysics Planets transiting non-eclipsing binaries David V. Martin1 and Amaury H. M. J. Triaud2;? 1 Observatoire Astronomique de l’Université de Genève, Chemin des Maillettes 51, CH-1290 Sauverny, Switzerland e-mail: [email protected] 2 Kavli Institute for Astrophysics & Space Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA Received 22 November 2013 / Accepted 28 August 2014 ABSTRACT The majority of binary stars do not eclipse. Current searches for transiting circumbinary planets concentrate on eclipsing binaries, and are therefore restricted to a small fraction of potential hosts. We investigate the concept of finding planets transiting non-eclipsing binaries, whose geometry would require mutually inclined planes. Using an N-body code we explore how the number and sequence of transits vary as functions of observing time and orbital parameters. The concept is then generalised thanks to a suite of simulated circumbinary systems. Binaries are constructed from radial-velocity surveys of the solar neighbourhood. They are then populated with orbiting gas giants, drawn from a range of distributions. The binary population is shown to be compatible with the Kepler eclipsing binary catalogue, indicating that the properties of binaries may be as universal as the initial mass function. These synthetic systems produce transiting circumbinary planets occurring on both eclipsing and non-eclipsing binaries. Simulated planets transiting eclipsing binaries are compared with published Kepler detections. We find 1) that planets transiting non-eclipsing binaries are probably present in the Kepler data; 2) that observational biases alone cannot account for the observed over-density of circumbinary planets near the stability limit, which implies a physical pile-up; and 3) that the distributions of gas giants orbiting single and binary stars are likely different. -
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. -
Space Propulsion.Pdf
Deep Space Propulsion K.F. Long Deep Space Propulsion A Roadmap to Interstellar Flight K.F. Long Bsc, Msc, CPhys Vice President (Europe), Icarus Interstellar Fellow British Interplanetary Society Berkshire, UK ISBN 978-1-4614-0606-8 e-ISBN 978-1-4614-0607-5 DOI 10.1007/978-1-4614-0607-5 Springer New York Dordrecht Heidelberg London Library of Congress Control Number: 2011937235 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012 All rights reserved. This work may not be translated or copied in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher (Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA), except for brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis. Use in connection with any form of information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed is forbidden. The use in this publication of trade names, trademarks, service marks, and similar terms, even if they are not identified as such, is not to be taken as an expression of opinion as to whether or not they are subject to proprietary rights. Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com) This book is dedicated to three people who have had the biggest influence on my life. My wife Gemma Long for your continued love and companionship; my mentor Jonathan Brooks for your guidance and wisdom; my hero Sir Arthur C. Clarke for your inspirational vision – for Rama, 2001, and the books you leave behind. Foreword We live in a time of troubles. -
A New Vision for Fusion Energy Research: Fusion Rocket Engines for Planetary Defense Abstract We Argue That It Is Essential Fo
LA-UR-15-23198 A New Vision for Fusion Energy Research: Fusion Rocket Engines for Planetary Defense G. A. Wurden1, T. E. Weber1, P. J. Turchi2, P. B. Parks3, T. E. Evans3, S. A. Cohen4, J. T. Cassibry5, E. M. Campbell6 1Los Alamos National Laboratory 2Santa Fe, NM 3General Atomics 4Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory 5University of Alabama, Huntsville 6Sandia National Laboratory Abstract We argue that it is essential for the fusion energy program to identify an imagination- capturing critical mission by developing a unique product which could command the marketplace. We lay out the logic that this product is a fusion rocket engine, to enable a rapid response capable of deflecting an incoming comet, to prevent its impact on the planet Earth, in defense of our population, infrastructure, and civilization. As a side benefit, deep space solar system exploration, with greater speed and orders-of-magnitude greater payload mass would also be possible. The US Department of Energy’s magnetic fusion research program, based in its Office of Science, focuses on plasma and fusion science1 to support the long term goal of environmentally friendly, socially acceptable, and economically viable electricity production from fusion reactors.2 For several decades the US magnetic fusion program has had to deal with a lack of urgency towards and inconsistent funding for this ambitious goal. In many American circles, fusion isn’t even at the table3 when it comes to discussing future energy production. Is there another, more urgent, unique, and even more important application for fusion? Fusion’s unique application As an on-board power source and thruster for fast propulsion in space,4 a fusion reactor would provide unparalleled performance (high specific impulse and high specific power) for a spacecraft. -
Fusion Rockets for Planetary Defense
| Los Alamos National Laboratory | Fusion Rockets for Planetary Defense Glen Wurden Los Alamos National Laboratory PPPL Colloquium March 16, 2016 LA-UR-16-21396 LA-UR-15-xxxx UNCLASSIFIED Operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's NNSA | Los Alamos National Laboratory | My collaborators on this topic: T. E. Weber1, P. J. Turchi2, P. B. Parks3, T. E. Evans3, S. A. Cohen4, J. T. Cassibry5, E. M. Campbell6 . 1Los Alamos National Laboratory . 2Santa Fe, NM . 3General Atomics . 4Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory . 5University of Alabama, Huntsville . 6LLE, University of Rochester, Rochester Wurden et al., Journal of Fusion Energy, Vol. 35, 1, 123 (2016) UNCLASSIFIED Operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's NNSA | Los Alamos National Laboratory | How many ways is electricity made today? Primary Energy Source Nominally CO2 Free Current capacity (%) Expected Lifetime (yrs) Natural Gas no 100 Coal no 80.6 400 Oil no < 50 Biomass neutral 11.4 > 400 Wind yes 0.5 > 1000 Solar photovoltaic yes 0.06 > 1000 Solar thermal yes 0.17 > 1000 Hydro yes 3.3 > 1000 Wave/Tidal yes 0.001 > 1000 Geothermal yes 0.12 > 1000 Nuclear fission yes 2.7 > 400 [i] REN21–Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century Renewables 2012–Global Status Report, 2012, http://www.map.ren21.net/GSR/GSR2012.pdf , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_development UNCLASSIFIED Operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's NNSA | Los Alamos National Laboratory | What is the most important product that fusion could deliver? . -
Propulsion Systems for Interstellar Exploration
The Future of Electric Propulsion: A Young Visionary Paper Competition 35th International Electric Propulsion Conference October 8-12, 2017 Atlanta, Georgia Propulsion Systems for Interstellar Exploration Steven L. Magnusen Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, USA Alfredo D. Tuesta∗ National Research Council Postdoctoral Associate, Washington, DC, USA [email protected] August 4, 2017 Abstract The idea of manned spaceships exploring nearby star systems, although difficult and unlikely in this generation or the next, is becoming less a tale of science fiction and more a concept of rigorous scientific interest. In 2003, NASA sent two rovers to Mars and returned images and data that would change our view of the planet forever. Already, scientists and engineers are proposing concepts for manned missions to the Red Planet. As we prepare to visit the planets in our solar system, we dare to explore the possibilities and venues to travel beyond. With NASA’s count of known exoplanets now over 3,000 and growing, interest in interstellar science is being renewed as well. In this work, the authors discuss the benefits and deficiencies of current and emerging technologies in electric propulsion for outer planet and extrasolar exploration and propose innovative and daring concepts to further the limits of present engineering. The topics covered include solar and electric sails and beamed energy as propulsion systems. I. Introduction Te Puke is the name for the voyaging canoe that the Polynesians developed to sail across vast distances in the Pacific Ocean at the turn of the first millennium. This primitive yet sophisticated canoe, made of two hollowed out tree trunks and crab claw sails woven together from leaves, allowed Polynesian sailors to navigate the open ocean by studying the stars. -
Nuts and Nukes
Fast Rides Uses of Fusion for Space Propulsion Systems Basic Idea of a Rocket • F = m (d/dt) p • Rocket equation: vf = u ln(Mi/Mf) (non-relativistic) • So, higher exhaust velocity is better Vrms ~ 10^3 m/s (N2 @ 1000K) Vfus ~ .086 C (He4 @ 3.5 MeV) C = 3 x 10^8 m/s 3 types of nuclear rockets • Nuclear electric, NEP --- Generate electricity to run another drive, e.g. ion, photonic (Sanger, others). • Nuclear thermal, NTP --- heat a secondary reaction mass. • Direct nuclear thrust --- use the fusion products as reaction mass. Nuclear Thermal Projects • Feynman: 1940’s ($1 patent) • NERVA: 1956 – 1971 • GSCR: 1960’s • Still viewed by some as engine for Mars transport (Boeing-NASA study 1990) Project NERVA/Rover • 1956 --- 1971 • USA (Los Alamos and other locations) • 250,000 lbs. thrust (best) • Never launched in space; lab work only. • Several projects under ROVER. http://www.sti.nasa.gov/Pubs/Bulletin/04julypub/hist.html Courtesy of NASA. Project PROMETHEUS • NASA 2003 --- designs for the new Space Exploration Vision • Fission NTP, NEP engines. • Uncertainty over how much longer it will stay around. Nuclear thrust rockets • Fusion reaction directly contributes to thrust. • Origin in Project ORION • Project Daedalus --- 1970’s, UK • Bussard ramjet • Mixed with plasma rocket (along lines of VASIMR) Project Orion • Nuclear explosion pulse drive • Read: blow bombs up behind the ship. Try not to blow the ship up, too. 1 per sec. • Plumbbob test – 1957. • High exhaust v with large force • Pusher plates -> continual 1-g accel! • Conventional explosion scale test success. ORION (con’t) • Plans for 4000-ton, 1 year round-trip to Pluto. -
The Project Gutenberg Ebook of Project Daedalus, by Thomas Hoover This Ebook Is for the Use of Anyone Anywhere at No Cost and Wi
The Project Gutenberg EBook of Project Daedalus, by Thomas Hoover This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org ** This is a COPYRIGHTED Project Gutenberg eBook, Details Below ** ** Please follow the copyright guidelines in this file. ** Title: Project Daedalus Author: Thomas Hoover Release Date: November 14, 2010 [EBook #34320] Language: English Character set encoding: UTF-8 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PROJECT DAEDALUS *** Produced by Al Haines ============================================================== This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License, http://creativecommons.org/ ============================================================== PROJECT DAEDALUS Retired agent Michael Vance is approached for help on the same day by an old KGB adversary and a brilliant and beautiful NSA code breaker. While their problems seem at first glance to be different, Vance soon learns he’s got a potentially lethal tiger by the tail – a Japanese tiger. A secret agreement between a breakaway wing of the Russian military and the Yakuza, the Japanese crime lords, bears the potential to shift the balance or world power. The catalyst is a superplane that skims the edge of space – the ultimate in death-dealing potential. In a desperate union with an international force of intelligence mavericks, with megabillions and global supremacy at stake, Vance has only a few days to bring down a conspiracy that threatens to ignite nuclear Armageddon. Publisher’s Weekly “Hoover’s adept handling of convincing detail enhances this entertaining thriller as his characters deal and double-deal their way through settings ranging from the Acropolis to the inside of a spacecraft. -
Lecture 41: Interstellar Travel and Colonization
Lecture 41: Interstellar Travel and Colonization Lecture 41 Interstellar Travel and Colonization Astronomy 141 – Winter 2012 This lecture is about the challenges of interstellar travel and colonization. Interstellar travel is extremely challenging due to both vast distances and basic physics. The current state of the art in spacecraft is too slow for interstellar travel by many orders of magnitude Practical interstellar travel requires near light speeds, which entails enormous energy requirements. Colonization of other star systems can lead to exponential growth in the number of inhabited systems. Even with modest assumptions, the time to colonize the entire Galaxy is smaller than the lifetime of the Galaxy. What if we find life elsewhere in the Galaxy? An Earth-like planet in its star’s habitable zone with confirmed spectral biomarkers? A localizable radio signal from an extra-terrestrial intelligence? The desire to go there would be overwhelming… Astronomy 141 - Winter 2012 1 Lecture 41: Interstellar Travel and Colonization Getting there may be half the fun, but it is all of the problem of interstellar travel. A problem of basic physics … All objects have mass Accelerating masses requires energy The more the acceleration, the greater the energy required. …coupled with the vast scale of interstellar distances. Locally, stars are ~6 light years apart on average. The current state-of-the-art is orders of magnitude too slow to be practical for interstellar travel. New Horizons: Launched: 2006 Jan 19 Jupiter Encounter: 2007 Feb 28 Pluto Flyby: 2015 July 14 Leaves the Solar System: 2029 Voyager 1: Speed: 61,400 km/h (38,200 mph). -
Twin Cities Creation Science Association
In the Beginning The Gauntlet is Thrown Down - Introduction Breaking Down the Equation . N = R* fp ne fl fi fc L Summary of Criticisms Conclusion Hand Outs Master Script Hand Out Life Outside Planet Earth 1961 How does the Drake Equation show that there is life on other planets in our Galaxy, or does it? N = the Number of civilizations in our galaxy with which radio- communication might be possible R* = the average Rate of star formation in our galaxy fp = the fraction of those stars that have planets ne = the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets (subscript e for ecoshell or earthlike) fl = the fraction of planets that could support life that actually develop life at some point fi = the fraction of planets with life that actually go on to develop intelligent life (in the form of civilizations) fc = the fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space L = the Length of time for which such civilizations release detectable signals into space The Drake Equation . N = R* fp ne fl fi fc L Help! Can I exist? . N = R* fp ne fl fi fc L N is the number of detectable civilizations in our galaxy by a radio signal. Introduction Radio astronomer Frank Drake became the first person to start a systematic search for intelligent signals from the cosmos. Using the 25 meter dish of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia. Drake hosted a "search for extraterrestrial intelligence" (SETI) meeting on detecting their radio signals. -
Scientific and Societal Benefits of Interstellar Exploration
See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275652484 Scientific and Societal Benefits of Interstellar Exploration Chapter · September 2014 CITATION READS 1 29 1 author: Ian A Crawford Birkbeck, University of Lon… 328 PUBLICATIONS 2,410 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Available from: Ian A Crawford Retrieved on: 03 June 2016 Beyond the Boundary Chapter1 Scientific and Societal Benefits of Interstellar Exploration Ian A Crawford he growing realisation that planets are common companions of stars [1–2] has reinvigorated astronautical studies of how they might be explored using Tinterstellar space probes (for reviews see references [3-7], and also other chap- ters in this book). The history of Solar System exploration to-date shows us that spacecraft are required for the detailed study of planets, and it seems clear that we will eventually require spacecraft to make in situ studies of other planetary systems as well. The desirability of such direct investigation will become even more apparent if future astronomical observations should reveal spectral evidence for life on an apparently Earth-like planet orbiting a nearby star. Definitive proof of the existence of such life, and studies of its underlying biochemistry, cellular structure, ecological diversity and evolutionary history will require in situ inves- tigations to be made [8]. This will require the transportation of sophisticated scientific instruments across interstellar space. Moreover, in addition to the scientific reasons for engaging in a programme of interstellar exploration, there also exist powerful societal and cultural motivations. Most important will be the stimulus to art, literature and philosophy, and the general enrichment of our world view, which inevitably results from expanding the horizons of human experience [9,10]. -
Interstellar Index: Papersinterstellarindex
Interstellar Index: papersInterstellarindex http://www.interstellarindex.com/technical-papers/ Interstellarindex The reliable web site for interstellar information designed and managed by www.I4IS.org Papers On this page we list every technical paper known to us that has been published on interstellar studies or related themes. This includes papers on: Spacecraft concepts, designs and mission architectures, robotic and manned, which may be relevant to interstellar flight; Space technologies at all readiness levels (TRL1-9), especially in propulsion; General relativity and quantum field theory as applied to proposed warp drives and wormholes in spacetime; Any other breakthrough physics concepts applicable to propulsion; Nearby mission targets, particularly exoplanets within 20 light-years; Sociology, politics, economics, philosophy and other interstellar issues in the humanities; The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) and related search and messaging issues. A few pieces of information are missing, as shown by queries {in curly brackets}. Please be patient while we fill in these gaps. * * * 2013 Baxter, S., “Project Icarus: Interstellar Spaceprobes and Encounters with Extraterrestial Intelligence”, JBIS, 66, no.1/2, pp.51-60, Jan./Feb. 2013. Benford, J., “Starship Sails Propelled by Cost-Optimized Directed Energy”, JBIS, 66, no.3/4, pp.85-95, March/April 2013. Beyster, M.A., J. Blasi, J. Sibilia, T. Zurbuchen and A. Bowman, “Sustained Innovation through Shared Capitalism and Democratic Governance”, JBIS, 66, no.3/4, pp.133-137, March/April 2013. Breeden, J.L., “Gravitational Assist via Near-Sun Chaotic Trajectories of Binary Objects”, JBIS, 66, no.5/6, pp.190-194, May/June 2013. Cohen, M.M., R.E.