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NASA/JSC is implementing an advanced propulsion physics laboratory, informally known as “Eagleworks”, to pursue propulsion technologies necessary to enable human exploration of the solar system over the next 50 years, and enabling interstellar spaceflight by the end of the century. This work directly supports the “Breakthrough Propulsion” objectives detailed in the NASA OCT TA02 In-space Propulsion Roadmap, and aligns with the #10 Top Technical Challenge identified in the report. Since the work being pursued by this laboratory is applied scientific research in the areas of the quantum vacuum, gravitation, nature of space-time, and other fundamental physical phenomenon, high fidelity testing facilities are needed. The lab will first implement a low-thrust torsion pendulum (<1 uN), and commission the facility with an existing Quantum Vacuum Plasma Thruster. To date, the QVPT line of research has produced data suggesting very high specific impulse coupled with high specific force. If the physics and engineering models can be explored and understood in the lab to allow scaling to power levels pertinent for human spaceflight, 400kW SEP human missions to Mars may become a possibility, and at power levels of 2MW, 1-year transit to Neptune may also be possible. Additionally, the lab is implementing a warp field interferometer that will be able to measure spacetime disturbances down to 150nm. Recent work published by White  suggests that it may be possible to engineer spacetime creating conditions similar to what drives the expansion of the cosmos. Although the expected magnitude of the effect would be tiny, it may be a “Chicago pile” moment for this area of physics.

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Eagleworks Laboratories: Advanced Propulsion Physics Research, December 5, 2011 [9 Pages, 1.1MB]

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The post Eagleworks Laboratories: Advanced Propulsion Physics Research, December 5, 2011 first appeared on The Black Vault.

The task was to survey the entire field of advanced propulsion to uncover and carry out a technical assessment of any concept that showed promise of leading to a major advance in available energy sources for space power and propulsion in the next century. In general we were to consider any concept that might derive energy from the space environment, as well as any unconventional methods of storing energy in a compact form that may have applicability to space power and propulsion. The best of these were to be selected for investigation in Phase 2 of the contract. We uncovered 62 concepts, carried out technical assessments on 26 of the more promising concepts, and recommended that four concepts be considered for more detailed study in Phase 2. The concepts recommended were solid metastable helium, solar pumped plasmas, perforated solar sails, and antiproton annihilation propulsion. Of these, the Air Force selected two concepts to receive the major portion of the Phase 2 effort, solar pumped plasmas and antiproton annihilation.

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 Alternate Propulsion Energy Sources, Phase 1 Report for the period 3 March 1983 to 23 May 1983 [104 Pages, 4.4MB]

 Alternate Propulsion Energy Sources, Final Report for the period 3 March 1983 to 21 September 1983 [141 Pages, 8.1MB]

The post Alternative Propulsion Energy Sources, Forward Unlimited Contracted Research, 1983 first appeared on The Black Vault.