Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Program
The Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project (BPP) was a
The Breakthrough Propulsion Physics project addressed a selection of "incremental and affordable" research questions towards the overall goal of propellantless propulsion, hyperfast travel, and breakthrough propulsion methods.[3] It selected and funded five external projects, two in-house tasks and one minor grant.[2] At the end of the project, conclusions into fourteen topics, including these funded projects, were summarized by program manager Marc G. Millis.[1] Of these, six research avenues were found to be nonviable, four were identified as opportunities for continued research, and four remain unresolved.[1][3]
Non-viable approaches
One in-house experiment tested the Schlicher thruster antenna, claimed by Schlicher[4] to generate thrust. No thrust was observed.[2][5]
Another experiment examined a gravity shielding mechanism claimed by Podkletnov and Nieminen.[2][6] Experimental investigation on the BPPP[7] and other experiments[8] found no evidence of the effect.[1]
Research on quantum tunneling was sponsored by the BPPP. It was concluded that this is not a mechanism for faster-than-light travel.[1][2]
Other approaches categorized as non-viable are oscillation thrusters and gyroscopic antigravity, Hooper antigravity coils, and coronal blowers.[1]
Unresolved approaches
A theoretical examination of additional atomic
Experiments tested
A possible torsion-like effect in the coupling between electromagnetism and spacetime,[12] which may ultimately be useful for propulsion, was sought in experiments. The experiments were insufficient to resolve the question.[2]
Other theories listed in Millis's final assessment as unresolved are
Space drives
One of the eight tasks funded by the BPP program was to define a strategy towards space drives.[2]
As a motivation, seven examples of hypothetical space drives were described at the onset of the project.[1] These included the gravity-based pitch drive, bias drive, disjunction drive and diametric drive; the Alcubierre drive; and the vacuum energy based differential sail.[13]
The project then considered the mechanisms behind these drives. At the end of the project, three mechanisms were identified as areas for future research. One considers the possibility of a reaction mass in seemingly empty space, for example in dark matter, dark energy, or zero-point energy. Another approach is to reconsider Mach's principle and Euclidean space. A third research avenue that might ultimately prove useful for spacecraft propulsion is the coupling of fundamental forces on sub-atomic scales.[1]
Quantum vacuum energy experiments
One topic of investigations was the use of the zero-point energy field. As the Heisenberg uncertainty principle implies that there is no such thing as an exact amount of energy in an exact location, vacuum fluctuations are known to lead to discernible effects such as the Casimir effect. The differential sail is a speculative drive, based on the possibility of inducing differences in the pressure of vacuum fluctuations on either side of a sail-like structure — with the pressure being somehow reduced on the forward surface of the sail, but pushing as normal on the aft surface — and thus propel a vehicle forward.[2][13][14]
The Casimir effect was investigated experimentally and analytically under the Breakthrough Propulsion Physics project. This included the construction of MicroElectroMechanical (MEM) rectangular Casimir cavities.[3][15] Theoretical work showed that the effect could be used to create net forces, although the forces would be extremely small.[1][3][16] At the conclusion of the project, the Casimir effect was categorized as an avenue for future research.[1]
Tau Zero Foundation
After funding ended, program manager Marc G. Millis was supported by NASA to complete documentation of results. The book Frontiers of Propulsion Science was published by the
Following program cancellation in 2002, Millis and others founded the Tau Zero Foundation.
See also
References
- ^ S2CID 41358855. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
- ^ ISBN 9781615830770.
- ^ a b c d Millis, Mark G. (2004). "Prospects for Breakthrough Propulsion From Physics" (PDF). Retrieved 8 February 2018.
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- hdl:2060/20020009088.
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- ^ Robertson, Tony; Lichford, Ron; Peters, Randall; Thompson, Byran; Rogers, Stephen L. (Jan 1, 2001). "Exploration of Anomalous Gravity Effects by rf-Pumped Magnetized High-T(c) Superconducting Oxides" (PDF). AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference; 8-11 Jul. 2001; Salt Lake City, UT; United States.
- .
- S2CID 120603211.
- S2CID 121750654.
- S2CID 55948442.
- S2CID 250763583.
- ^ S2CID 3088306. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
- ^ DiChristina, Mariette (May 2001). "Space at Warp Speed: Disjunction Drive". Popular Science. p. 50. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
- .
- S2CID 118922542.
- ISBN 978-1563479564ISBN 1563479567