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\u00a0Advanced Propulsion Study, February 2004<\/a> [103 Pages, 4.3MB]<\/p>\nThis study was tasked with the purpose of conducting a thorough literature and program search to carry out and document a technical assessment of the latest concepts in science and engineering that show promise of leading to a major advance in Earth-to-orbit (ETO) propulsion.<\/p>\n
The study also reviewed and evaluated a select number of credible far-term breakthrough propulsion physics concepts pertaining to R&D work done on or related to gravity\/inertia modification, spacetime metric modification, and the extraction of energy from the space vacuum environment. The results of the study are presented and summarized in this report. A combined bibliography of advanced propulsion references was assembled and is presented. The report includes an overview of the recent history and present state-of-the-art of ETO launch vehicle and propulsion concepts.<\/p>\n
Also included is an outline and summary of the criteria and operative guidelines that the author used to examine, select and recommend advanced propulsion concepts. The author identified and selected five promising advanced propulsion concepts, and provides a detailed technical evaluation of their breakthrough potential for ETO propulsion.<\/p>\n
The Advanced Propulsion Study is divided into two phases. Phase I is a review and documentation of\u00a0the latest concepts in science and engineering that show promise of leading to a major advance in\u00a0propulsion, especially Earth-to-Orbit (ETO) propulsion. This phase also included a study of all the\u00a0concepts pertaining to R&D work done on or related to gravity\/inertia modification, spacetime metric\u00a0modification (i.e., traversable wormholes, space warps, polarizable vacuum representation of general\u00a0relativity, etc.), and the extraction of energy from the space vacuum environment. At the completion of\u00a0this phase the author recommended five promising advanced propulsion concepts for further evaluation.<\/p>\n
The author then presented an oral review and technical summary of the recommended advanced\u00a0propulsion concepts at the AFRL Propulsion Directorate at Edwards AFB, CA on January 5, 2004. Phase\u00a0II involved a detailed evaluation of the concepts identified and selected in Phase I, which were deemed by\u00a0the author to have the greatest breakthrough potential for ETO propulsion. Phase II collated all of the\u00a0results and presents them in this final report.<\/p>\n
The report contains four chapters. Chapter 1 is an overview of the present state-of-the-art of ETO\u00a0launch vehicle and propulsion concepts. The chapter also outlines and summarizes the criteria and\u00a0operative guidelines that were used by the author to examine, select and recommend advanced propulsion\u00a0concepts. Chapter 2 is a review and summary of a substantial number of advanced propulsion concepts\u00a0the author evaluated for the study. Chapter 3 presents the author\u2019s five recommended advanced\u00a0propulsion concepts, which includes a detailed technical evaluation of their breakthrough potential for\u00a0ETO propulsion. Chapter 4 is a review and summary of a select number of far-term advanced propulsion\u00a0concepts. The far-term propulsion concepts are comprised of breakthrough propulsion physics concepts\u00a0that are very credible and rigorous. The report concludes with a combined list of references.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Advanced Propulsion Study, February 2004<\/a> [103 Pages, 4.3MB]<\/p>\n