Re: starship-design: Mini-Magnetospheric Plasma Propulsion, M2P2 ,system

[KellySt@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/31/99 11:53:17 AM, bfranchuk@jetnet.ab.ca writes:

>KellySt@aol.com wrote:
>> 
>> I wonder if this could be used effectively as an interstellar break?
> Nothing
>> in the paper talks about effective ISP or power consumption vrs thrust.
>> 
>> Kelly
>> 
>> http://peaches.niac.usra.edu/studies/9801/winglee.html
>> 
>> The Mini-Magnetospheric Plasma Propulsion, M2P2 , system provides a
>> revolutionary means for spacecraft propulsion that can efficiently utilize
>> the energy from the space plasmas to accelerate payloads to much higher
>> speeds than can be attained by present chemical (oxidizing propulsion
>> systems.  The system utilizes an innovative configuration of existing
>> technology based on well established principles of plasma physics. It
>has the
>> potential of feasibly providing cheap, fast propulsion that could power
>> Interstellar Probe.
>
>Sounds like we found the IMPULSE drive of star trek type space craft.
>If the plasma propulsion idea can be expanded into a real interstellar
>ramjet,
>next stop the planets.

Actually the "impulse drives" were a modified fusion drive (must have played 
games with inertia to get the spec impulse they'd need), and ramjets probably 
don't do you a lot of good in this sector of the galaxy.