Hello once again,
Below please find my summaries of some futuristic spacecraft
propulsion methods. I have taken the term "futuristic" to mean not in
common usage as some of the technologies I have described have been
used in prototype rockets and systems but are not commonly known about
or used. If you have any questions or would like any amendments
please ask for clarification and I will do my best to respond
speedily.
With regards to the aspect of your artist drawing some of these
methods hopefully some of the links will provide inspiration for
him/her. If not please ask for clarification once again and I can try
and locate some other online resources for their use.
I would also like to thank you again for thinking of me when posting
the question as the research involved in these types of question is
different (and more rewarding) than many others and I enjoy answering
them for you.
NUCLEAR FISSION
===============
Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atom into several smaller
fragments to release energy. Ignoring the safety implications, there
are a number of ways this type of reaction could be employed. For
example, the fragments released could be emitted from an engine and
due to their ionized nature could be used to direct the craft.
Alternatively the huge energy emitted could be utilized in the
ignition of a propellant such as hydrogen to generate thrust. [76
words]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaseous_fission_reactor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fission-fragment_rocket
http://www.thespacesite.com/space/future/fission.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_thermal_rocket
NUCLEAR FUSION
==============
The combination of two smaller nuclei to produce one larger nucleus is
a process scientist?s call ?nuclear fusion?. This technique is a
possible method of driving a spacecraft as it has the potential of
expelling huge amounts of energy. This power could be harnessed in
the expulsion of highly energetic particles from an engine thus
propelling any spacecraft throughout our solar system at high
velocities. [65 words]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_rocket
http://www.thespacesite.com/space/future/fusion.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimatter_catalyzed_nuclear_pulse_propulsion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioisotope_rocket
ANTIMATTER
==========
Antimatter could be used to power a spacecraft in a number of proposed
methods. One way would be to inject the antimatter into a target with
the resultant ionized particles providing thrust when vented through
an engine exhaust or alternatively, the energy from the reaction could
be employed as a power source that heated a propellant. Another
proposal is that antimatter could be used to heat a light-emitting
material; the emitted photons could then be directed to propel the
spacecraft. [80 words]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimatter_rocket
http://www.thespacesite.com/space/future/antimatter.php
MAG-SAILS (MAGNETIC SAILS)
==========================
Magnetic Sail propulsion employs a magnetic field generated from a
long coiled superconducting wire connected to the spacecraft to
provide thrust and movement. Charged particles, such as protons and
electrons available from the solar wind, are deflected when they are
moved through a magnetic field perpendicular to its path. The
magnetic sail would accelerate these particles and therefore provide
thrust for the spacecraft. [63 words]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_sail
http://www.thespacesite.com/space/future/sail.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini-magnetospheric_plasma_propulsion
HALL EFFECT THRUSTERS
=====================
Developed independently by the USA and the Soviet Union, the Hall
Effect Thruster (HET) is a type of electric propulsion rocket. When a
propellant in a plasma discharge is accelerated by an electric field
surrounded by magnetic field, thrust is produced that in turn powers
the spacecraft through the cosmos. Because of their design these
types of engine are used mainly for correctional bursts of thrust in a
spacecraft's trajectory or position. [72 words]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_effect_thruster
EXTERNAL PULSED PLASMA
======================
External Pulsed Plasma Propulsion (or Nuclear Pulse Propulsion) is a
method of propulsion that moves the spacecraft along by explosions set
off at the rear of the craft. The shockwave produced by each of these
explosions would be used to propel the spacecraft along its journey.
This proposed type of rocket was initially developed for "Project
Orion" but in its proposed form would violate international nuclear
treaties. [67 words]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_pulse_propulsion
SOLAR SAIL
==========
A "Solar Sail" is a massive sail that uses the light from the sun to
produce motion from the radiation pressure exerted upon it. Like
conventional sailing methods, the velocity of the craft is controlled
by movement of the sail. It is considered superior to many propulsion
techniques as no fuel is required on board of the craft to produce
motion but unfortunately the sail efficiency drops off rapidly as it
moves away from the light source. [77 words]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_sail
I included seven techniques above as some are very similar. Below is
a list of a few other technologies that I nearly chose to write about.
If you were interested in any of these please let me know.
a) Field Emission Electric Propulsion (FEEP)
b) Fission sail
c) Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster
d) Mass driver
e) Pulsed inductive thruster
f) Redshift rocket
g) Arcjet rocket
h) Pulsed plasma thruster
i) Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma rockets
Some of the URL's and books I found invaluable in researching this
project included:
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encarta
Space - A History of Space Exploration
http://lifesci3.arc.nasa.gov/SpaceSettlement/
http://lifesci3.arc.nasa.gov/SpaceSettlement/spaceresvol2/toc.html
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/travelinginspace/future_propulsion.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacecraft_propulsion
http://www.thespacesite.com/space/contents.php |
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