Theoretical spacecraft propulsion
Theoretical spacecraft propulsion refers to a series of theoretical spacecraft propulsion systems mainly proposed for interstellar travel.
Fission sail
The fission sail is a type of
In the fission sail, the "rocket" is built in the form of a two-layer sheet, with some sort of absorber on one side, and nuclear fuel on the other. Atoms in the fuel that decay will release their fragments in random, but opposite, directions. In the simple case where the decay releases the fragments "front" and "rear", the rearward moving fragment generates thrust directly, while the frontward moving one is absorbed in the front half of the sail with no net contribution to thrust. The sail is not a nuclear reactor, and relies on natural decay rates for energy release. The thrust from such a system will always be very low, albeit extremely efficient.
Forward proposed the system as an "add on" to existing solar sails. Close to stars where the light density is high the sails work fine, but as they move past about 2 AU their thrust is too low to be useful. Forward suggested that coating the sail with fissionable material would provide thrust in this region, where maneuvering is no longer as important. Such a system would accelerate and maneuver based on solar energy for the start of its flight, and then continue to accelerate at a lower rate for long periods of time.
Gravitational shielding
The term gravitational shielding refers to a
The concept of gravity shielding is a common concept in science fiction literature, especially for space travel. One of the first and best known examples is the fictional gravity shielding substance "Cavorite" that appears in H. G. Wells's classic 1901 novel The First Men in the Moon. Wells was promptly criticized for using it by Jules Verne.[3]
Nano electrokinetic thruster
The Nano electrokinetic thruster is a theoretical space propulsion system based on the principle of
The principle of electro-osmosis or electroosmotic flow creates a flow of an
References
- ISSN 0921-4534.
- ^ Bertolami, O. & Paramos, J. & Turyshev, S. G. (2006), General Theory of Relativity: Will it survive the next decade?, in H. Dittus, C. Laemmerzahl, S. Turyshev, Lasers, Clocks, and Drag-Free: Technologies for Future Exploration in Space and Tests of Gravity: 27-67
- ^ James Giblin (2000). The Century that was: Reflections on the Last One Hundred Years. Simon & Schuster. p. 8. "I sent my travelers to the moon with gunpowder, something one sees every day. Where is Monsieur Wells' 'Cavorite'? Let him show it to me!"
- ^ .
- ^ Garias, Diez. "ELECTROKINETIC NANOTHRUSTERS AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF" (PDF). Retrieved 10 November 2014.