Antimatter MatterAntimatter Propulsion Theory What Antimatter is n
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Antimatter Matter-Antimatter Propulsion Theory
What Antimatter is n n n Antimatter was predicted in 1929 (4) Antihydrogen produced in 1999 Antimatter is composed of the oppositely charged sub particles of most atoms Opposite of the electron is the positron (positive charge) Opposite of the proton is the antiproton (negative charge) Opposite of the neutron is the antineutron
How Antimatter is Made n n n Particles of most atoms are accelerated to very high speeds The particles are aimed and allowed to impact on a target (tungsten) The kinetic energy caused by acceleration is converted into gamma radiation, positrons and antiprotons (4)
How Expensive is Antimatter? n n Antimatter is the most expensive substance on earth (6) 62. 5 trillion U. S. dollars per gram a year (6)
How Antimatter is Stored and its Expense n n n Antiprotons can be controlled in magnetic fields (4) One method for antiproton storage is the Penning Trap Super cold, vacuumed, electromagnetic bottle in which charged particles of antimatter can be suspended (4) Capacity = 1 x 1010 antiprotons/week (4) Developers believe that 1 x 1020 antiprotons must be stored
Matter-Antimatter Reaction n n n Matter comes in contact with antimatter They annihilate each other This annihilation creates very large amounts of energy Energy Produced = 9 x 1016 J/Kg (4) This energy has the highest energy density of all known propellants Ten billion times more energy then hydrogen/oxygen (4) 300 times the fusion reaction at suns core
Matter-Antimatter Propulsion Theory n n n Scientists and Physicists want to harness this created energy Proton-Antiproton reaction can be controlled by magnetism Beam Core - Direct one to one annihilation, magnetic fields focus the energetic charged pions that are used directly as the exhausted propellant mass. These pions travel close to speed of light so the specific impulse could be greater than 10, 000 seconds
Source List 1 Smithsonian/NASA ADS Physics Abstract Service, Cassenti, Brice N. ; Mannheim, Philip D. ; Gould, Phillip L. http: //adsabs. harvard. edu/abs/1993 jpmc. conf. Q. . C 2 KRQE News 13, NM Scientists try to harness antimatter http: //www. krqe. com/video/expanded. asp? ID=4573 3 The Encyclopedia of Astrobiology, Astronomy, and Spaceflight. Title: Antimatter Propulsion http: //www. daviddarling. info/encyclopedia/A/antimatterprop. html 4 The Space. Site. com, Antimatter Propulsion – Future Space Propulsion Systems http: //www. thespacesite. com/space_antimatter_propulsion. html National and Aeronautics Space Administration, New and Improved Antimatter 5 Spaceships for Mars Missions http: //www. nasa. gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/antimatter_spaceship_prt. htm 6 Science at Nasa, Reaching for the Stars http: //science. nasa. gov/newhome/headlines/prop 12 apr 99_1. htm
