Scientists find anti-matter trapped in Van Allen belts that 'could fuel a spaceship'

heraldsun.com.au ^ | August 8, 2011

[Free ThinkerNY]

TO infinity and beyond?

We may not have any viable alternative fuel sources here on Earth yet, but scientists may have discovered an alternative – in space.

Researchers at the Pamela satellite (Payload for Antimatter Matter Exploration and Light-nuclei Astrophysics), discovered the largest known collection of anti-matter near Earth, trapped between the Van Allen belts.

The Van Allen belts are a series of donut-shaped rings containing positively charged particles trapped by cosmic rays, solar winds and Earth's magnetic field.

The belts themselves are formed by the particles “smashing” into molecules that make up Earth’s atmosphere, causing showers of particles. It is only after some of the anti-matter escapes the belt and comes into contact with normal matter in the atmosphere that the anti-matter is destroyed in a flash of light.

It is thought that that reaction could create enough energy to power a spacecraft.

The team hope the discovery can be harnessed as a fuel source in time for DARPA's 100-year Starship program.

In a study for NASA's Institute for Advanced Concepts, scientists discuss the benefits of using anti-matter as a fuel source.

“The revolutionary potential of this technology is due to the fact that antiparticles release an enormous amount of energy when they come into contact with regular matter,” the scientists wrote.

“The energy density is two to three orders of magnitude higher than nuclear reactions and nearly ten orders of magnitude greater than the best chemical propellants used in spacecraft such as the space shuttle.”

[no-to-illegals]

Wonder if we will have to learn how to shield our frail bodies in antimatter to be able to jump beyond light speed?

[Trueblackman]

Better starting building one of these in my shed!

[jwalsh07]

Do you pump it, shovel it or plug into it?

[no-to-illegals]

Good question. Since it doesn’t exist as matter, the composition collection (and I’m guessing) would be a form of magnetic collection utilizing a magnetic field?

[no-to-illegals]

Wondering if it would be as simple as iron ore collection utilizing a magnet? Of course, that theory would assume <-—(making one of those out of myself) there is a North and South polarity within the antimatter structure.

[teeman8r]

i call dibs on placing a large generator up there to send power down via a large anti matter extension cord...

we could then hook up all those chevy volts and priuses to it... and save the world until the van allen belts tighten and we have to plug into the earth’s suspenders.

teeman

[bagman]

Basically, anti-matter is like regular matter, except with the opposite electrical charge. For instance, an electron has a charge of -1. An anti-matter electron, commonly known as a positron, has a charge of +1. Positron decay is a less-common form of radioactive decay.

[allmendream]

The good part is that the mater to energy ratio is 100% efficient and it blows up REAL GOOD! Almost unlimited energy from not too much mass you have to accelerate and decelerate.

The bad part is that you have to contain it in an electromagnetic “bottle” and if it got out it would blow up spectacularly.

It is the energy source of the future - if there is such a future it is still a long long way away.

[Talisker]

Since it doesn’t exist as matter, the composition collection (and I’m guessing) would be a form of magnetic collection utilizing a magnetic field?

Yep - and then the collected anti-matter would have to provide the energy necessary to power it's own magnetic containment bottle - with energy left over for other things, like powering a starship.

[no-to-illegals]

Therefore, if I understand the concept, one would induce a negative charge to force the positron to move toward a desired position or collection, and one would manipulate thrust with a positive charge forcing the positron away.

[Clock King]

Tell it to the Chinese. The West will self-destruct long before we can get out there.

[Vermont Lt]

Wouldnt the radiation up there pretty much fry anyone that was there for very long?

[no-to-illegals]

Never been Up There, and radiation is a concern from what has been done through experimentation (if I’m recalling correctly). Cosmic rays were of tremendous concern during Apollo with the lunar landings (if remembering correctly). Not ever having been close to any of the flights, flight crews, and engineers involved during those years, I was then and am only still a buff. Love to dream, but understand little of most concepts -—> Out There.

[AndrewB]

Of course it all must be properly routed through dilithium crystals.

[!1776!]

Therefore, if I understand the concept, one would induce a negative charge to force the positron to move toward a desired position or collection, and one would manipulate thrust with a positive charge forcing the positron away.

I don't think so. Moving them around isn't the goal. Collecting them - without them touching any kind of matter so they can be used as fuel is likely the goal.

It would be the energy released during annihilation that could be of value since it is ~100% conversion of matter to energy (i.e., E=MC^2). One gram of mass - converted to pure energy is ~90 trillion BTU. For comparison, a largish coal fired power plant would fire ~70 trillion BTU's in a year which would take a little under 4,000,000 tons of 9000 btu/lb coal.

Science fiction for now unfortunately...

[no-to-illegals]

Yes you are correct according to Jean (sp) of Trek. There maybe is only one little component or law of physics missing, and then all will fall into place. That unknown or better known as dilithium crystals remains elusive.

[BBell]

My head explodes when I read this kind of stuff. I guess I’m Earth Anchored.

[danielmryan]

From what I understand: when a particle and anti-particle collide, two photons are ejected. Those photons travel in opposite directions.

How does that help induce net kinetic energy in one direction? Forgive my ignorance, but it sounds like putting engines on the back and front of a rocket ship. Lots of energy is expended, but no net velocity gained.

[no-to-illegals]

Thank You for correcting me. I like to dream of propulsion and new methods for containment of energy releases thereby initiating acceleration. Much of former science fiction is newly discovered scientific facts (don't know that to be true, heard it somewhere). Those who dream sometimes stumble on those new discoveries. There is a belief that there is nothing new in the universe (heard that somewhere). What is there, within the universe, is something waiting to be discovered for its existence was an absolute (heard that somewhere too). Bottom line is .... Speculation is always risky but always rewarding, if one makes the right choices (heard that somewhere too). My apology for typing, for I offered no new concepts tonight.