An exciting prospect is the use of antimatter as a fuel source due to its ability to convert mass energy to kinetic energy. Upon annihilation of antimatter with matter, tremendous amounts of energy are carried away by...An exciting prospect is the use of antimatter as a fuel source due to its ability to convert mass energy to kinetic energy. Upon annihilation of antimatter with matter, tremendous amounts of energy are carried away by charged and neutral particles. By redirecting the charged particles through an exhaust using a non-uniform magnetic field, an impulse can be generated capable of supplying thrust to an engine. Using the Geant 4 simulation toolkit developed by CERN, we simulate this process using a beam core engine design. By analyzing charged pions that result from antiproton-proton annihilation, we optimize the engine parameters and derive a specific impulse for antiproton fuel as used in the beam core configuration. A specific impulse of (2.49 ± 0.08) × 106 s was determined. This value is significantly higher than specific impulses of current chemical rocket fuels which range from 240 - 400 s.展开更多
This paper attempts to delve into the mystery of space travel. Consequently, it will be necessary to re-examine concepts which scientists hold dear. In addition, it is the author’s contention that the so-called weak ...This paper attempts to delve into the mystery of space travel. Consequently, it will be necessary to re-examine concepts which scientists hold dear. In addition, it is the author’s contention that the so-called weak force is the seat of a powerful new energy source which can be used to propel spacecraft to be unheard of velocities utilizing a variable scalar gravitational “constant”. One of the major obstacles faced is that normally the so-called “arc length” ds will be equal to zero at the speed of light (because of its dependence upon relative velocity), and since ds is used in the denominator of equations of motion, such equations will become meaningless. This paper will continue to use the arc length ds, along with its implied proper time;however, this paper will use a different method of approach to this problem which will involve divorcing ds from its dependence upon relative velocity as a result of the aforementioned generalization. The approach will be to use a complex mass-velocity vector (not momentum vector) over the usual four dimensional space-time manifold domain. The mass-velocity vector is introduced, because it is assumed that a gradient in φ or φ/μ (to be controlled from within the spacecraft) will cause not only a change in the velocity of the spacecraft, but also a change in the apparent inertial/gravitational mass mo of the spacecraft in a coordinated way. This is the guiding principle of this paper!展开更多
文摘An exciting prospect is the use of antimatter as a fuel source due to its ability to convert mass energy to kinetic energy. Upon annihilation of antimatter with matter, tremendous amounts of energy are carried away by charged and neutral particles. By redirecting the charged particles through an exhaust using a non-uniform magnetic field, an impulse can be generated capable of supplying thrust to an engine. Using the Geant 4 simulation toolkit developed by CERN, we simulate this process using a beam core engine design. By analyzing charged pions that result from antiproton-proton annihilation, we optimize the engine parameters and derive a specific impulse for antiproton fuel as used in the beam core configuration. A specific impulse of (2.49 ± 0.08) × 106 s was determined. This value is significantly higher than specific impulses of current chemical rocket fuels which range from 240 - 400 s.
文摘This paper attempts to delve into the mystery of space travel. Consequently, it will be necessary to re-examine concepts which scientists hold dear. In addition, it is the author’s contention that the so-called weak force is the seat of a powerful new energy source which can be used to propel spacecraft to be unheard of velocities utilizing a variable scalar gravitational “constant”. One of the major obstacles faced is that normally the so-called “arc length” ds will be equal to zero at the speed of light (because of its dependence upon relative velocity), and since ds is used in the denominator of equations of motion, such equations will become meaningless. This paper will continue to use the arc length ds, along with its implied proper time;however, this paper will use a different method of approach to this problem which will involve divorcing ds from its dependence upon relative velocity as a result of the aforementioned generalization. The approach will be to use a complex mass-velocity vector (not momentum vector) over the usual four dimensional space-time manifold domain. The mass-velocity vector is introduced, because it is assumed that a gradient in φ or φ/μ (to be controlled from within the spacecraft) will cause not only a change in the velocity of the spacecraft, but also a change in the apparent inertial/gravitational mass mo of the spacecraft in a coordinated way. This is the guiding principle of this paper!
