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Aviation History
2001
2001 - 2803.PDF
I';'*' from general relativity about the nature of space-time. These suggest that the light- speed barrier, as described by Einstein's special relativity theory, might be circum vented by altering space-time itself. So the search is on for clues to the exis tence of "warp drive" and scientific defini tion of "wormholes". The former, epito mised to recent generations by Star Trek, theoretically involves expansion and con traction of space-time to propel a region of space-time faster than light (superluminal). A "wormhole" is a potential shortcut cre ated through space-time where a region of space-time is warped to create a shorter path between the two points. Another potential superluminal propulsive effect being investigated is "quantum tunnelling" - the travel of photons at an apparent 1.7 times the speed of light when tunnelling across a photonic band-gap barrier in an experiment in the early 1990s. Under the BPP's initial six-year road map, the results of the first phase experi ments, including the latest to be solicited later this year, will feed into an overall pro ject assessment review tentatively set for 2003. This will set the stage for the third set of research solicitations in 2004, with a the need for speed, these factors are just as critical. Mass is directly linked to propel- lant. Using current technology, a rocket - even a conceptual fusion or fission one - would require an enormous volume of fuel to make the journey. Millis estimates that to propel a Space Shuttle-size payload to the nearest star using a fission rocket would require 1 billion supertanker-sized tanks of fuel. Even a fusion-powered rocket would need 1,000 supertanker-sized tanks. NASA's BPP has set hypothetical mission goals to further define the breakthrough requirements. These reveal that the only way to tackle the issue of mass is to dis cover fundamentaHy new ways of creating motion, possibly by manipulating inertia, gravity or by other interactions between matter, fields and space-time. The speed problem requires new means to move a vehicle at or near the actual maximum speed limit for motion through space. Alternatively, the vehicle could be moved through the motion of space-time itself (possibly circumventing the light speed limit) by Ssing "warp drives" or even wormholes. The energy issue requires new modes of onb6ard energy generation to power these devices. A long list of potential experiments has been drawn up, some of which have already begun in the BPP pro]ect's first phase. Most cover a realm of phenomena only hinted at by recent scientific advances, such as the intrigu ing suggestion from recent exp eriments and quantum theory that space may contain enor mous levels of vacuum electro magnetic energy. Experiments are probing theories that this vacuum energy could be used as an energy source, or a propulsive reaction mass for space travel. Other new theories suggest that gravity and inertia themselves could be electromagnetic effects related to this vacuum energy. From these origins, significant NASA- backed investigations »re emerging into that "holy grail" of potential propulsion sources, gravity manipulation or anti- gravity. Sparked by the same set of vacuum energy theories, and by knowledge from the theory of general relativity that gravity, electromagnetism and space-time are inter-related, investigations have started into ideas that gravitational or inertial forces can be created or modified using electromagnetism. Millis says theories have also emerged NASA is fourth set expected to be issued in 2006. looking to Under its 25-year road-map plan, the put the warp BPP expects the first five years to con- drive method tribute directly to a basic understanding of of propulsion the underlying physics. A second major used by Star phase, up to the project's eleventh year, Trek's USS will then focus on assessing the results' rel- Enterprise on evance to the overall goals of achieving the scientific interstellar travel. The last 16 years or so of map the plan will be spent adapting selected effects towards applications, and perhaps the start of larger-scale experimentation. No firm plan exists for the longer term, although Millis for one believes the search should have no time limits. "Even if it will not be in my lifetime or my children's life time, or even if it is impossible, I am firmly convinced that we as a society will gain far more trying to make such breakthroughs happen than if we didn't." • www.fliqhtinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 14-20 AUGUST 2001 27
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