Abstract The dream of interstellar flights persists since the first pioneers in astronautics and has never died. Many concepts of thruster capable to propel a rocket to the stars have been proposed and the most suitable among them are thought to be photon propulsion and propulsion by the products of proton–antiproton annihilation in magnetic nozzle. This article addresses both concepts allowing for cross-section of annihilation among other issues in order to show their vulnerability and to indicate the problems. The concept of relativistic matter propulsion is substantiated and discussed. The latter is argued to be the most straightforward way to build-up a relativistic rocket firstly because it is based on the existing technology of ion generators and accelerators and secondly because it can be stepped up in efflux power starting from interplanetary spacecrafts powered by nuclear reactors to interstellar starships powered by annihilation reactors. The problems imposed by thermodynamics and heat disposal are accentuated.
Highlights Concepts of photon rocket and proton–antiproton annihilation rocket are revised. Cross-section of annihilation is accounted for to calculate annihilation length. Relativistic matter propulsion is substantiated and discussed. Map-velocity and map-distance are calculated for various values of efflux power. The problem of heat disposal is accentuated.
Relativistic rocket: Dream and reality
Acta Astronautica ; 99 ; 52-70
2014-01-29
19 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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