Re:Nuclear Pulse Propulsion – Orion and Beyond (2000) [pdf]
by jaunkst on Friday October 14, 2016 @12:40AM
(#12706173)
If only we could produce anti matter. A tiny amount would provide a fuel source viable for deep space exploration.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:Nuclear Pulse Propulsion – Orion and Beyond (2000) [pdf]
by jharohit on Friday October 14, 2016 @12:48AM
(#12706195)
Anti-matter is produced at CERN for study https://home.cern/topics/antimatter.
The problem is not production of it but the economy of producing it. It's still very costly to produce and then to build and engine around it which uses the energy efficiently is still at least 10-15 years. But do believe that the time to start actively looking into it is NOW.
Re:Nuclear Pulse Propulsion – Orion and Beyond (2000) [pdf]
by flukus on Friday October 14, 2016 @01:11AM
(#12706240)
Is it stable enough to survive a space launch?
Re:Nuclear Pulse Propulsion – Orion and Beyond (2000) [pdf]
by jharohit on Friday October 14, 2016 @02:19AM
(#12706414)
don't think so. I am guessing you would need really strong magnetic fields to contain the anti-matter.
Re:Nuclear Pulse Propulsion – Orion and Beyond (2000) [pdf]
by dogma1138 on Friday October 14, 2016 @03:17AM
(#12706559)
Magnetic fields aren't the only issue here.
You won't be able to store large amounts of it since quantum tunneling will become a statistical problem.
Re:Nuclear Pulse Propulsion – Orion and Beyond (2000) [pdf]
by witty_username on Friday October 14, 2016 @01:23PM
(#12709623)
Could you explain? How would quantum tunneling of antimatter be a problem?
The probability of quantum tunneling is exponential so adding a little more separation or reducing the energy can change the probability from 10^-1 to 10^-100.
Re:Nuclear Pulse Propulsion – Orion and Beyond (2000) [pdf]
by Symmetry on Friday October 14, 2016 @12:29PM
(#12709173)
As a practical matter most of the byproducts of antimatter annihilation aren't amenable to being directed out the rear of a spacecraft by a nozzle, magnetic or otherwise. So the maximum theoretical efficiency is possibly better with advanced fusion drives than with antimatter.
Re:Nuclear Pulse Propulsion – Orion and Beyond (2000) [pdf]
by berntb on Friday October 14, 2016 @05:26AM
(#12706962)
When discussing antimatter for propulsion, it might be worth checking out Robert L Forward. I saw the expression that he took the "giggle factor" out of the subject. :-)
I found this overview, discussing a bit about the antimatter research:
http://www.enthea.org/docs/Forward-Emerging-Technologies-Fut...