The Need for SpeedThe Need for Speed

Dr. Darrel Smith, ChairSpace Physics

August 27, 2005

Dr. Darrel Smith, ChairSpace Physics

August 27, 2005

The Year of PhysicsThe Year of Physics

1905 -- the year of discovery

Einstein’s three papers1. Brownian Motion2. Photoelectric Effect *3. Special Relativity

1905 -- the year of discovery

Einstein’s three papers1. Brownian Motion2. Photoelectric Effect *3. Special Relativity

The Need for SpeedThe Need for Speed

Special RelativitySpecial Relativity

Base Units of Physics

1. Mass (kilogram)

2. Length (meter)

3. Time (second)

Base Units of Physics

1. Mass (kilogram)

2. Length (meter)

3. Time (second)

The Need for SpeedThe Need for Speed

Special RelativitySpecial Relativity

Einsteins two postulates:

1. The speed of light is a constant in all inertial frames. C = 299,792,458 m/s (186,000 miles/sec)

2. The law of physics are covariant between inertial frames.

Einsteins two postulates:

1. The speed of light is a constant in all inertial frames. C = 299,792,458 m/s (186,000 miles/sec)

2. The law of physics are covariant between inertial frames.

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Special RelativitySpecial Relativity

Implications of these two postulates:

1. Length Length Contraction

2. Time Time Dilation

3. Mass Mass Dilation

Implications of these two postulates:

1. Length Length Contraction

2. Time Time Dilation

3. Mass Mass Dilation

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1 ≤ ≤

At rest at c

Special RelativitySpecial RelativityThe Need for SpeedThe Need for Speed

1 ≤ ≤

At rest at c

Length Contraction

Time Dilation

Mass Dilation

Special RelativitySpecial RelativityThe Need for SpeedThe Need for Speed

1 ≤ ≤

At rest at c

Special RelativitySpecial RelativityThe Need for SpeedThe Need for Speed

1 ≤ ≤

At rest at c

Special RelativitySpecial RelativityThe Need for SpeedThe Need for Speed

1 ≤ ≤

At rest at c

Special RelativitySpecial RelativityThe Need for SpeedThe Need for Speed

Paradox: a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true.

Special RelativitySpecial RelativityThe Need for SpeedThe Need for Speed

1 ≤ ≤

At rest at c

Imagine the following:

1. Making the distances much longer, and

2. Making the speeds faster, but the much higher.

Special RelativitySpecial RelativityThe Need for SpeedThe Need for Speed

1 ≤ ≤

At rest at c

L0 = 100,000 LY

Astronaut experiences

L = 1.00 LY

(age) = 1.00 year

V = 0.99999999995 c

Special RelativitySpecial RelativityThe Need for SpeedThe Need for Speed

1 ≤ ≤

At rest at c

Can we achieve these high speeds?

In the laboratory, we’ve achieved v = 0.999995 c

What about "real" spacecraft propulsion systems?

1. Nuclear-Thermal propulsion

2. Antimatter propulsion

Special RelativitySpecial RelativityThe Need for SpeedThe Need for Speed

1 ≤ ≤

At rest at c

Can we achieve these high speeds?

In the laboratory, we’ve achieved v = 0.999995 c

What about "real" spacecraft propulsion systems?

1. Nuclear-Thermal propulsion

2. Antimatter propulsion

Spacecraft to Mars “and back” using chemical propulsion

Mars Landscape

The Mars Rover

Mars Landscape

The Mars Rover

Bone LossRadiationDamage New Fuels

How are we going to get to Mars?

Long space missions with traditional “chemical” propulsion systems will have devastating effects on astronauts. Atomic, nuclear,and particle propulsion systems must be considered to reduce travel time.

Areas of Concentration

Exotic Propulsion Systems

Fusion Engines

Plasma Engines

Areas of Concentration

Exotic Propulsion Systems (cont’d)

Nuclear ThermalPropulsion

Antimatter Engines

Ion-Compressed Antimatter Nuclear Engine

Total Mission Duration (Days with 30 days on Surface)

Areas of Concentration

Senior Labs

Penning Trap tostore antimatter

Areas of Concentration

On the web: http://physicsx.pr.erau.edu/SpacePhysics/