One of the few ways to do fast (ca. 0.5c cruise velocity) interstellar rendezvous missions is with a matter-antimatter annihilation propulsion system. This paper discusses the general mission requirements and system technologies that would be required to implement an antimatter propulsion system where a magnetic nozzle (superconducting magnet) is used to direct charged particles (from the annih...

The author applies, develops and researches mini-sized MicroAB Thermonuclear Reactors for space propulsion and space power systems. These small engines directly convert the high speed charged particles produced in the thermonuclear reactor into vehicle thrust or vehicle electricity with maximum efficiency. The simplest AB-thermonuclear propulsion offered allows spaceships to reach speeds of 20,...

This paper describes an integrated neural flight and propulsion control system, which uses a neural network based approach for applying alternate sources of control power in the presence of damage or failures. Under normal operating conditions, the system utilizes conventional flight control surfaces. Neural networks are used to provide consistent handling qualities across flight conditions and...

The Galileo Retro-Propulsion performed excellently throughout eight-year Galileo Jupiter mission. state-of-the-art, pressure-fed, propulsion system, provided to Module (RPM) the ambitious, The RPM is a bipropellant NASA by the Federal Republic of Germany. Some Galileo RPM pressure transducers drifted linearly versus time since launch. Consumable usage was generally well within specifications, i...

The objective of this paper is to describe and apply methods that could assist the propulsion system designer in the evaluation and selection of propulsion technologies. The focus here is on the aerothermodynamic aspects of the problem, particularly estimation of engine internal losses. This is accomplished by leveraging developments in second law analysis methods that are able to quantify the ...

Full scale measurements of the propulsion power, ship speed, wind speed and direction, sea and air temperature, from four different loading conditions has been used to train a neural network for prediction of propulsion power. The network was able to predict the propulsion power with accuracy between 0.8-2.8%, which is about the same accuracy as for the measurements. The methods developed are i...

[Purpose] This study sought to ascertain whether, in hemiplegic patients, the effect of a wheelchair cushion to suppress pelvic posterior tilt when initiating wheelchair propulsion would continue in subsequent propulsions. [Subjects] Eighteen hemiplegic patients who were able to propel a wheelchair in a seated position participated in this study. [Methods] An adjustable wheelchair was fitted wi...

This paper details the development of an innovative "green" hybrid rocket propulsion system, applicable to small spacecraft. When fully developed this propulsion technology has the potential to act as a "drop in" replacement for propulsion system utilizing hazardous propellants such as hydrazine. Fuel grains are manufactured using a form of additive manufacturing known as Fused Deposition Model...

This paper discusses pre-design and integration considerations involved when implementing distributed propulsion for future aircraft concepts. In this context, distributed propulsion is achieved by utilization of multiple or a single (large) fan. The distributed integration of the propulsion system leads to strong coupling between airframe aerodynamics and motive power performance, which is add...