User:Very Polite Person/draft/Field propulsion

Advanced propulsion systems may overcome the limitations of chemical rockets by accessing more energetic physical principles, particularly those involving directed-energy and field interactions.

Beamed-energy propulsion concepts eliminate the need for onboard energy sources by transmitting power from remote stations using lasers, microwaves, or particle beams to induce thrust remotely.

Such systems decouple the vehicle from traditional propellant constraints and enable the possibility of high specific impulse with relatively high thrust-to-weight ratios.

Theoretical development includes mechanisms for transferring momentum via electromagnetic coupling or by interacting with the physical structure of the vacuum, a line of reasoning that parallels field propulsion concepts.

Some approaches explore the utilization of atmospheric or ambient materials as virtual reaction mass or interaction medium, pushing beyond the limitations of mass ejection propulsion.

Proposals also include advanced electrostatic and MHD-based concepts that could leverage charged-particle interactions with atmospheric fields to produce directed motion.

As human activity expands further into space, future missions will require propulsion systems far more sophisticated and energetic than current chemical technologies, which are approaching their theoretical performance limits.

Although nuclear-electric and solar-electric propulsion systems are advancing and may see application before 1990, they are insufficient for large-scale industrial use of lunar or asteroidal materials.

Historically, technological stagnation in propulsion has been met with rejection once human needs demand superior alternatives, as inefficient solutions become intolerable.

Demonstrating plausible, efficient advanced propulsion systems could catalyze the next wave of major space activities, potentially serving as the trigger rather than the outcome of such expansion.

Funding for advanced propulsion research saw major swings from the 1960s to early 1980s, with initial surges during the 1960s and early 1970s, followed by sharp reductions post-1975.

Notable reports on advanced propulsion during this funding trough include studies by the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory in 1972 and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1975 and 1982.

A 1972 Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (AFRPL) study was conducted to explore transitions beyond chemical propulsion and stimulate development of more advanced performance systems by the end of the 20th century.

The AFRPL report categorized advanced propulsion into three domains: Thermal Propulsion, Field Propulsion, and Photon Propulsion, each evaluated for performance potential.

The study emphasized a return to the unrestricted creativity and "free-thinking" that characterized propulsion research in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Among its primary conclusions, the AFRPL report noted that more intensive energy sources—such as nuclear—offer performance improvements up to five orders of magnitude greater than chemical sources.

It proposed that propulsion researchers should prioritize "infinite specific impulse" (Isp) systems that obtain both working fluid and energy from the ambient environment, offering exceptional performance potential.

The study argued that improvements in technologies like high-power lasers or new energy transfer methods could revitalize previously discarded propulsion ideas, including laser propulsion and infinite-Isp ramjets.

For field propulsion, specific technological breakthroughs such as higher current density superconductors, metallic hydrogen, or room temperature superconductors were identified as potentially enabling innovations.

Field propulsion systems were introduced as an alternative to conventional space propulsion technologies, which are fundamentally limited by the need to carry and expel reaction mass.

In contrast, field propulsion proposes the generation of thrust through the interaction with a substantial physical structure of space itself—specifically, by engaging with the vacuum as a medium possessing field-like properties.

According to Minami and Musha (2012), the basic idea is to induce a propulsive force without the ejection of mass by coupling with environmental fields through mechanisms that may involve vacuum polarization or spacetime curvature.

This approach builds upon theoretical frameworks from both general relativity, which treats spacetime as a macroscopic structure, and quantum field theory, which postulates a vacuum with complex microscopic characteristics, including fluctuations and zero-point energy phenomena.

Various forms of field propulsion have been theorized based on different interpretations of physical space as a structured vacuum.

Although no such system has yet achieved technological maturity for operational use, the concept remains significant within theoretical and exploratory propulsion research.

The ongoing evaluation of vacuum structure—both at the quantum and relativistic scale—continues to inform proposed methods for momentum transfer via field interactions.

Field propulsion draws on both general relativity and quantum field theory to conceptualize space–time as a structured vacuum medium capable of momentum exchange.

While no practical system has been realized, several theoretical configurations are under investigation to validate the existence of thrust without reaction mass.

Proposed mechanisms include manipulation of space–time structure via massless fields or quantum vacuum interactions that create asymmetrical force distributions.

The concept is being tested in laboratory-scale studies with electrogravitic or zero-point force analogs, although empirical verification remains inconclusive.

Field propulsion is envisioned as a candidate for deep space missions where mass-independent thrust systems are critical for long-duration operation.

Related technologies under discussion include the EMDrive, electrogravitics, and quantum vacuum thrust concepts that similarly propose force without reaction mass.

These systems must address objections related to momentum conservation, particularly the need to reconcile apparent violations with established physical laws.

The major advantage is propellantless thrust, while limitations include current lack of experimental confirmation and challenges to foundational physics.

• Space tether
• James_Woodward_(physicist)#Woodward_effect

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite journal

| last1=Minami

| first1=Yoshinari

| last2=Musha

| first2=Takaaki

| title=Field propulsion systems for space travel

| journal=Acta Astronautica

| volume=81

| issue=1

| pages=59–66

| date=January 2012

| publisher=Elsevier

| doi=10.1016/j.actaastro.2012.02.027

| url=https://www.academia.edu/53605673/Field_propulsion_systems_for_space_travel

| access-date=2025-06-03

| issn=0094-5765

| language=en

}}

Pg. 1: "Field propulsion system can be propelled without mass expulsion; its propulsion principle can induce a propulsive force (i.e., thrust) that arises from the interaction of the substantial physical structure."

Pg. 1: "This notion is based on the assumption that space as a vacuum possesses a substantial physical structure."

Pg. 1: "This evaluation examines the substantial physical structure regarding the space–time from both General Relativity in the view of a macroscopic structure and Quantum Field Theory in the view of a microscopic structure."

Pg. 1: "Several kinds of field propulsion system can be proposed by making these choices considering the structure of physical space."

Pg. 1: "The meaning of substantial physical structure regarding the space–time is conjectured from both General Relativity in the view of macroscopic structure, and Quantum Field Theory in the view of microscopic structure."

Pg. 1: "The field propulsion system is expected to be a breakthrough technology that could realize space travel without the need for reaction mass."

Pgs. 1–2: "Field propulsion is propelled receiving a propulsive force (i.e., thrust) that arises from the interaction of the substantial physical structure."

Pg. 2: "Several kinds of field propulsion systems have been theoretically proposed so far. Although none of them has been successfully realized, they are currently being studied."

Pg. 2: "Mechanisms of the field propulsion... arise from an interaction between a massless field and the substantial structure of space... by creating a field asymmetry."

Pg. 2: "Experimental studies have been attempted to confirm the feasibility of such propulsion principles... for example, by using electrogravitic or zero-point force analogues."

Pg. 2: "Such systems are closely related to controversial propulsion technologies like the EMDrive and electrogravitic propulsion."

{{cite report

| title = Advanced Beamed-Energy and Field Propulsion Concepts

| author = Myrabo, Leik N.

| author-link = Leik Myrabo

| publisher = BDM Corporation for the California Institute of Technology and Jet Propulsion Laboratory

| date = May 31, 1983

| type = Contractor Report

| series = NASA Contractor Report Series

| number = NASA-CR-176108

| location = McLean, Virginia

| url = https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19850024873/downloads/19850024873.pdf

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211214024524/https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19850024873

| archive-date = 2021-12-14

| id = BDM/W-83-225-TR; NAS 1.26:176108; Accession 85N33186

| access-date = 2025-06-03

}}

Pg. 25: "As man extends his activities deeper and with increasing frequency into space, he will demand more sophisticated and energetic propulsion systems with capabilities greatly surpassing those of conventional chemical propulsion systems."

Pg. 25: "When human needs create a demand for new solutions to technical problems, history shows that available inefficient solutions will not be tolerated for long."

Pg. 25: "The 'conventional' advanced propulsion technologies of nuclear- electric and solar-electric propulsion are advancing in their development cycles and will probably see application in space vehicle systems before 1990. However, these technologies are clearly inadequate for emerging more ambitious missions involving ever expanding human activity in space, such as large-scale space industry and the utilization of lunar and asteroidal materials."

Pg. 25: "In fact, it is even more likely that demonstration of the plausibility and feasibility of efficient advanced propulsion methods could provide the critical leverage to engender major space activities, rather than the other way around."

Pg. 25: "The history of advanced propulsion research has produced large swings in funding levels over the past 30–40 years. NASA and the military services actively pursued advanced propulsion research during the 1960s and early 1970s [...] Since the early 1970s, funding for advanced propulsion research has been severely limited."

Pg. 25: "Significant studies were published by the USAF Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (AFRPL) in 1972, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in 1975, and JPL again in 1982."

Pg. 26: "The study attempted to reestablish the kind of unrestricted free-thinking, inventiveness, and creativity that existed during the late 1950s and early 1960s. [...] Second, the creativity of propulsion researchers should be strongly directed toward 'infinite specific impulse' (Isp) concepts that draw prime energy and/or material freely from the ambient environment (whether through active interactions or through capitalization of natural phenomena), because of the implications for outstanding performance."

Pg. 26: "The purpose of the study was to identify and stimulate transitions to concepts beyond chemical rocket propulsion that would bring about substantial improvements in propulsion performance by the turn of the century."

Pg. 26: "Advanced concepts falling under the general headings of Thermal Propulsion, Field Propulsion, and Photon Propulsion were evaluated to define their potential."

Pg. 26: "An improvement of five orders of magnitude exists between chemical and nuclear energy sources."

Pg. 26: "The creativity of propulsion researchers should be strongly directed toward 'infinite specific impulse' (Isp) concepts that draw prime energy and/or material freely from the ambient environment [...] The study defines the ideal infinite Isp propulsion system as one which takes both its working fluid and its energy from the environment."

Pg. 26: "The study suggests that improvements in the energy output of high-power lasers by several orders of magnitude, or perhaps the invention of other competitive concepts for long distance energy transfer – are exemplary advances that have revolutionary potentials for laser propulsion and the infinite Isp ramjet."

Pg. 26: "For the Field Propulsion concepts, the development of higher current density superconductors, metallic hydrogen, or perhaps room temperature superconductors are promising breakthrough technologies."

Pg. 32: "The concept of beaming power from a remote source directly to a spacecraft propulsion system presents a revolutionary point of departure from conventional chemical and electric rocketry."

Pg. 36: "Since the power source remains independent of the spacecraft, a beamed-energy propulsion system can simultaneously overcome the two classical limitations of specific impulse (e.g., 400–500 sec for chemical rockets), and thrust/mass (e.g., 10⁻² to 10⁻⁴ N/kg thrust/mass ratio for nuclear-electric rockets)."

Pg. 406: "Stratospheric 'Glow Discharge' Propulsion Concept (20 to 100 km Altitude)"

Pg. 456: "Basic Concept... Electrostatic 'Cartesian Diver' (ECD) Concept... Self-Motivated Electrostatic Propulsion Concepts"

}}

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