Frontiers of Propulsion Science - Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Volume 227

This is a nascent field where a variety of concepts and issues are being explored in the scientific literature, beginning in about the early 1990s. The collective status is still in step 1 and 2 of the scientific method, with initial observations being made and initial hypotheses being formulated, but a small number of approaches are already at step 4, with experiments underway. This emerging science, combined with the realization that rockets are fundamentally inadequate for interstellar exploration, led NASA to support the Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project from 1996 through 2002. Frontiers of Propulsion Science covers that project as well as other related work, so as to provide managers, scientists, engineers, and graduate students with enough starting material that they can comprehend the status of this research and decide if and how to pursue it in more depth themselves. Five major sections are included in the book: "Understanding the Problem" lays the groundwork for the technical details to follow; "Propulsion Without Rockets" discusses space drives and gravity control, both in general terms and with specific examples; "Faster-Than-Light Travel" starts with a review of the known relativistic limits, followed by the faster-than-light implications from both general relativity and quantum physics; "Energy Considerations" deals with spacecraft power systems and summarizes the limits of technology based on accrued science; and "From This Point Forward" offers suggestions for how to manage and conduct research on such visionary topics. - Data and information appearing in this book are for informational purposes only. AIAA and the author are not responsible for any injury or damage resulting from use or reliance, nor do AIAA and the author warrant that use or reliance will be free from privately owned rights.

Frontiers of Propulsion Science is the first-ever compilation of emerging science relevant to such notions as space drives, warp drives, gravity control, and faster-than-light travel—the kind of breakthroughs that would revolutionize spaceflight and enable human voyages to other star systems. Although these concepts might sound like science fiction, they are appearing in growing numbers in reputable scientific journals.

This is a nascent field where a variety of concepts and issues are being explored in the scientific literature, beginning in about the early 1990s. The collective status is still in step 1 and 2 of the scientific method, with initial observations being made and initial hypotheses being formulated, but a small number of approaches are already at step 4, with experiments underway. This emerging science, combined with the realization that rockets are fundamentally inadequate for interstellar exploration, led NASA to support the Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project from 1996 through 2002.

Frontiers of Propulsion Science covers that project as well as other related work, so as to provide managers, scientists, engineers, and graduate students with enough starting material that they can comprehend the status of this research and decide if and how to pursue it in more depth themselves.

Five major sections are included in the book: Understanding the Problem lays the groundwork for the technical details to follow; Propulsion Without Rockets discusses space drives and gravity control, both in general terms and with specific examples; Faster-Than-Light Travel starts with a review of the known relativistic limits, followed by the faster-than-light implications from both general relativity and quantum physics; Energy Considerations deals with spacecraft power systems and summarizes the limits of technology based on accrued science; and From This Point Forward offers suggestions for how to manage and conduct research on such visionary topics.

"Frontiers of Propulsion Science" is the first-ever compilation of emerging science relevant to such notions as space drives, warp drives, gravity control, and faster-than-light travel - the kind of breakthroughs that would revolutionize spaceflight and enable human voyages to other star systems. Although these concepts might sound like science fiction, they are appearing in growing numbers in reputable scientific journals. This is a nascent field where a variety of concepts and issues are being explored in the scientific literature, beginning in about the early 1990s. The collective status is still in step 1 and 2 of the scientific method, with initial observations being made and initial hypotheses being formulated, but a small number of approaches are already at step 4, with experiments underway. This emerging science, combined with the realization that rockets are fundamentally inadequate for interstellar exploration, led NASA to support the Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project from 1996 through 2002. "Frontiers of Propulsion Science" covers that project as well as other related work, so as to provide managers, scientists, engineers, and graduate students with enough starting material that they can comprehend the status of this research and decide if and how to pursue it in more depth themselves. Five major sections are included in the book: Understanding the Problem lays the groundwork for the technical details to follow; Propulsion Without Rockets discusses space drives and gravity control, both in general terms and with specific examples; Faster-Than-Light Travel starts with a review of the known relativistic limits, followed by the faster-than-light implications from both general relativity and quantum physics; Energy Considerations deals with spacecraft power systems and summarizes the limits of technology based on accrued science; and, From This Point Forward offers suggestions for how to manage and conduct research on such visionary topics. Content: Front Matter Preface • Table of Contents •I. Understanding the Problem 1. Recent History of Breakthrough Propulsion Studies 2. Limits of Interstellar Flight Technology •II. Propulsion without Rockets 3. Prerequisites for Space Drive Science 4. Review of Gravity Control within Newtonian and General Relativistic Physics 5. Gravitational Experiments with Superconductors: History and Lessons 6. Nonviable Mechanical "Antigravity" Devices 7. Null Findings of Yamishita Electrogravitational Patent 8. Force Characterization of Asymmetrical Capacitor Thrusters in Air 9. Experimental Findings of Asymmetrical Capacitor Thrusters for Various Gasses and Pressures 10. Propulsive Implications of Photon Momentum in Media 11. Experimental Results of the Woodward Effect on a Micro-Newton Thrust Balance 12. Thrusting against the Quantum Vacuum 13. Inertial Mass from Stochastic Electrodynamics •III. Faster-than-Light Travel 14. Relativistic Limits of Space Flight 15. Faster-than-Light Approaches in General Relativity 16. Faster-than-Light Implications of Quantum Entanglement and Nonlocality •IV. Energy Considerations 17. Comparative Space Power Baselines 18. On Extracting Energy from the Quantum Vacuum 19. Investigating Sonoluminescence as a Means of Energy Harvesting 20. Null Tests of "Free Energy" Claims •V. From This Point Forward 21. General Relativity Computational Tools and Conventions for Propulsion 22. Prioritizing Pioneering Research Subject Index Author Index This Books Is The First Compilation Of Emerging Science Relevant To Such Notions As Space Drives, Warp Drives, Gravity Control, And Faster-than-light Travel - The Kind Of Breakthroughs That Would Revolutionize Spaceflight And Enable Human Voyages To Other Star Systems. Although These Concepts Might Sound Like Science Fiction, They Are Appearing In Growing Numbers In Reputable Scientific Journals. A compilation of science relevant to such notions as space drives, warp drives, gravity control, and faster-than-light travel - the kind of breakthroughs that would revolutionize spaceflight and enable human voyages to other star systems. It is suitable for managers, scientists, engineers, and graduate students.