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This article is from the Space FAQ, by Jon Leech leech@cs.unc.edu and Mark Bradford tla@surly.org with numerous contributions by others.

37 Esoteric propulsion schemes part1 (solar sails, lasers, fusion...)

Dani Eder (eder@hsvaic.hv.boeing.com) maintains a "Canonical List of
Space Transport Methods" describing dozens of concepts and providing
some in-depth references to the technical literature. This is available
from

ftp://ftp.cs.unc.edu/pub/users/leech/FAQ/eder_transport_list.gz

A smaller set of references on some of these concepts follows.

ANTIMATTER

"Antiproton Annihilation Propulsion", Robert Forward
AFRPL TR-85-034 from the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory
(AFRPL/XRX, Stop 24, Edwards Air Force Base, CA 93523-5000).
NTIS AD-A160 734/0 PC A10/MF A01
PC => Paper copy, A10 => $US57.90 -- or maybe Price Code?
MF => MicroFiche, A01 => $US13.90

Technical study on making, holding, and using antimatter for
near-term (30-50 years) propulsion systems. Excellent
bibliography. Forward is the best-known proponent
of antimatter.

This also may be available as UDR-TR-85-55 from the contractor,
the University of Dayton Research Institute, and DTIC AD-A160
from the Defense Technical Information Center, Defense Logistics
Agency, Cameron Station, Alexandria, VA 22304-6145. And it's
also available from the NTIS, with yet another number.

"Advanced Space Propulsion Study, Antiproton and Beamed Power
Propulsion", Robert Forward

AFAL TR-87-070 from the Air Force Astronautics Laboratory, DTIC
#AD-A189 218.
NTIS AD-A189 218/1 PC A10/MF A01

Summarizes the previous paper, goes into detail on beamed power
systems including " 1) pellet, microwave, and laser beamed power
systems for intersteller transport; 2) a design for a
near-relativistic laser-pushed lightsail using near-term laser
technology; 3) a survey of laser thermal propulsion, tether
transportation systems, antiproton annihilation propulsion,
exotic applications of solar sails, and laser-pushed
interstellar lightsails; 4) the status of antiproton
annihilation propulsion as of 1986; and 5) the prospects for
obtaining antimatter ions heavier than antiprotons." Again,
there is an extensive bibliography.

"Application of Antimatter - Electric Power to Interstellar
Propulsion", G. D. Nordley, JBIS Interstellar Studies issue of
6/90.

BUSSARD RAMJETS AND RELATED METHODS

R. W. Bussard, "Galactic Matter and Interstellar Flight",
Astronautica Acta 6 (1960): 179 - 194.

G. L. Matloff and A. J. Fennelly, "Interstellar Applications and
Limitations of Several Electrostatic/Electromagnetic Ion Collection
Techniques", JBIS 30 (1977):213-222

N. H. Langston, "The Erosion of Interstellar Drag Screens", JBIS 26
(1973): 481-484

C. Powell, "Flight Dynamics of the Ram-Augmented Interstellar
Rocket", JBIS 28 (1975):553-562

A. R. Martin, "The Effects of Drag on Relativistic Spacefight", JBIS
25 (1972):643-652

D.P. Whitmire, "Relativistic Spaceflight and the Catalytic Nuclear
Ramjet", Acta Astronautica 2 (1975): 497 - 509.

D.P. Whitmire and A.A. Jackson, "Laser Powered Interstellar Ramjet",
JBIS 30 (1977):223 - 226.

 

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