Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

New propulsion concept could make 90-day Mars round trip possible
University of Washington News Office ^ | 14 October 2004 | Vince Stricherz

Posted on 10/14/2004 1:14:50 PM PDT by PatrickHenry

A new means of propelling spacecraft being developed at the University of Washington could dramatically cut the time needed for astronauts to travel to and from Mars and could make humans a permanent fixture in space.

In fact, with magnetized-beam plasma propulsion, or mag-beam, quick trips to distant parts of the solar system could become routine, said Robert Winglee, a UW Earth and space sciences professor who is leading the project.

Currently, using conventional technology and adjusting for the orbits of both the Earth and Mars around the sun, it would take astronauts about 2.5 years to travel to Mars, conduct their scientific mission and return.

"We're trying to get to Mars and back in 90 days," Winglee said. "Our philosophy is that, if it's going to take two-and-a-half years, the chances of a successful mission are pretty low."

Mag-beam is one of 12 proposals that this month began receiving support from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Institute for Advanced Concepts. Each gets $75,000 for a six-month study to validate the concept and identify challenges in developing it. Projects that make it through that phase are eligible for as much as $400,000 more over two years.

Under the mag-beam concept, a space-based station would generate a stream of magnetized ions that would interact with a magnetic sail on a spacecraft and propel it through the solar system at high speeds that increase with the size of the plasma beam. Winglee estimates that a control nozzle 32 meters wide would generate a plasma beam capable of propelling a spacecraft at 11.7 kilometers per second. That translates to more than 26,000 miles an hour or more than 625,000 miles a day.

Mars is an average of 48 million miles from Earth, though the distance can vary greatly depending on where the two planets are in their orbits around the sun. At that distance, a spacecraft traveling 625,000 miles a day would take more than 76 days to get to the red planet. But Winglee is working on ways to devise even greater speeds so the round trip could be accomplished in three months.

But to make such high speeds practical, another plasma unit must be stationed on a platform at the other end of the trip to apply brakes to the spacecraft.

"Rather than a spacecraft having to carry these big powerful propulsion units, you can have much smaller payloads," he said.

Winglee envisions units being placed around the solar system by missions already planned by NASA. One could be used as an integral part of a research mission to Jupiter, for instance, and then left in orbit there when the mission is completed. Units placed farther out in the solar system would use nuclear power to create the ionized plasma; those closer to the sun would be able to use electricity generated by solar panels.

The mag-beam concept grew out of an earlier effort Winglee led to develop a system called mini-magnetospheric plasma propulsion. In that system, a plasma bubble would be created around a spacecraft and sail on the solar wind. The mag-beam concept removes reliance on the solar wind, replacing it with a plasma beam that can be controlled for strength and direction.

A mag-beam test mission could be possible within five years if financial support remains consistent, he said. The project will be among the topics during the sixth annual NASA Advanced Concepts Institute meeting Tuesday and Wednesday at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seattle. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Winglee acknowledges that it would take an initial investment of billions of dollars to place stations around the solar system. But once they are in place, their power sources should allow them to generate plasma indefinitely. The system ultimately would reduce spacecraft costs, since individual craft would no longer have to carry their own propulsion systems. They would get up to speed quickly with a strong push from a plasma station, then coast at high speed until they reach their destination, where they would be slowed by another plasma station.

"This would facilitate a permanent human presence in space," Winglee said. "That's what we are trying to get to."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: astronomy; mars; nasa; physics; propulsion
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-72 next last
To: PatrickHenry
Does this count?


41 posted on 10/14/2004 2:28:45 PM PDT by TC Rider (The United States Constitution © 1791. All Rights Reserved.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PatrickHenry

"But to make such high speeds practical, another plasma unit must be stationed on a platform at the other end of the trip to apply brakes to the spacecraft"

I'm sorry, but THAT mental picture set off SUCH a gigglin' fit! And yes, Texas men DO giggle occasionally!


42 posted on 10/14/2004 2:36:03 PM PDT by jagusafr (Hit the brakes - no, NOW! NOWWW!! AAAAUUUUUGGGGHGHHHH!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PatrickHenry

Bump


43 posted on 10/14/2004 2:37:21 PM PDT by Stellar Dendrite (Liberalism IS a mental disease, thanks to Gramsci, Marcuse and others from the Frankfurt School.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pilsner

"The Mote in God's Eye" love that book have read it three times. It's been a few years may have to read it again.


44 posted on 10/14/2004 2:42:16 PM PDT by nomorelurker (wetraginhell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: theFIRMbss

It turns them into bowls of popcorn?


45 posted on 10/14/2004 2:44:30 PM PDT by Pete'sWife (Dirt is for racing... asphalt is for getting there.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: PatrickHenry

Thanks for posting this. I hope these things come to fruition in my lifetime.


46 posted on 10/14/2004 2:47:00 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PatrickHenry

You forgot to mention getting your beeber stuned. Sorry.


47 posted on 10/14/2004 2:49:25 PM PDT by datura (The difference between a Democrat and a Communist is? (The commie is honest about it.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Thrusher

Did somebody say this could be HUGH yet?


48 posted on 10/14/2004 2:55:34 PM PDT by wireman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: PatrickHenry

A laser-based plasma rocket using coherent nuclear resonant scattering would be more powerful and efficient.


49 posted on 10/14/2004 2:58:04 PM PDT by techcor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PatrickHenry
I'm guessing, but they'd probably break in the Martian atmosphere. I suppose it would take a few orbits.

If they have the velocity to make the trip in 90 days, that's gonna be one helluva breaking maneuver! :)

50 posted on 10/14/2004 3:01:57 PM PDT by The_Victor (Calvin: "Do tigers wear pajamas?", Hobbes: "Truth is we never take them off.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: PatrickHenry
New propulsion concept could make 90-day Mars round trip possible.

Sure, travel time is down but the lines to go through security at the spaceport will drive you nuts.

51 posted on 10/14/2004 4:23:53 PM PDT by VadeRetro (A self-reliant conservative citizenry is a better bet than the subjects of an overbearing state. -MS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Shryke
Dammit PH, you are really becoming a hard-ass! You've got to relax.

Yeah. Gotta look at the bright side. Each time I receive such a post, I can click on "block images from this server." Soon or later, I'll be immune from the worst of it.

52 posted on 10/14/2004 4:35:06 PM PDT by PatrickHenry (Hic amor, haec patria est.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: rightwingreligiousfanatic
...at least you didn't post anything about Klingons circling Uranus.
53 posted on 10/14/2004 4:41:17 PM PDT by Mr. Lucky
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: PatrickHenry
Just a thought, but without primary propulsion on board, how do you stop?

I'm guessing, but they'd probably break in the Martian atmosphere. I suppose it would take a few orbits.


Finish reading the article, it tell how.
54 posted on 10/14/2004 4:43:36 PM PDT by citizen (Write-in Tom Tancredo for President/Jeff Flake VP 2004!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: mrsmith

Right, and the Chinese will be glad to rent us the space.


55 posted on 10/14/2004 5:27:44 PM PDT by dljordan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: PatrickHenry

The beam generator power source would almost certainly have to be nuclear unless they wish to use asteroid mining techniques.


56 posted on 10/14/2004 6:48:27 PM PDT by RightWhale (Withdraw from the 1967 UN Outer Space Treaty and establish property rights)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dljordan
After their experience of the last century with westerners on Chimese territory they probably won't rent the space.

They'll build, staff and operate the beam facility for a price.

Shouldn't charge much since they'd be able to use it to blackmail anyone with equipment in their range.

What a future.

57 posted on 10/14/2004 6:48:36 PM PDT by mrsmith ("Oyez, oyez! All rise for the Honorable Chief Justice... Hillary Rodham Clinton ")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: RightWhale; Brett66; xrp; gdc314; sionnsar; anymouse; RadioAstronomer; NonZeroSum; jimkress; ...

58 posted on 10/14/2004 7:29:16 PM PDT by KevinDavis (Let the meek inherit the Earth, the rest of us will explore the stars!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PatrickHenry

I thought the traditional bet was 80 days.


59 posted on 10/14/2004 7:35:25 PM PDT by Cold Heart
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dark Wing

ping


60 posted on 10/14/2004 8:48:23 PM PDT by Thud
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-72 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson