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To: demlosers
Go to Google and type in 'm2p2 propulsion'.

Mini-magnetospheric-plamsa-propulsion creates a bubble of plasma around the spacecraft which the solar particle flux can push outward or inward, much like a hot air balloon in Earth's atmosphere is affected by drafts.

An M2P2 drive could enable a manned spacecraft to reach Mars in just one month, and come back in the same period of time. Nuclear thermal drives of the type that NASA is investigating are bulky, dirty, and slow in comparison! (To say nothing of the expense and political roadblocks inherent in any nuclear propulsion development program!)

6 posted on 02/18/2004 8:20:10 PM PST by 537 Votes
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To: 537 Votes
"A 15 km-wide miniature magnetosphere one astronomical unit from the Sun would feel 1 to 3 Newtons of force from the solar wind," says Gallagher, "That's enough to accelerate a 200 kg spacecraft from a dead stop to 80 km/s (180,000 mph) in only 3 months.

It would have to scale way, WAY up to work for a manned mission. Can they steer with it?

8 posted on 02/19/2004 7:38:17 AM PST by hopespringseternal
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