Defense Intelligence Reference Document Positron Aerospace Propulsion

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New developments in stabilizing and storing positronium atoms in a matrix of dilute
materials are encouraging. Lifetimes of 10 μshave been achieved, and tens-of-
millisecond lifetimes are expected in the next round of experiments. Present limits are
due to interactions on the walls of the trap container. Application of oscillating gradient
electric fields to the huge electric dipole moment of the stable Ps atom should mitigate
this problem. With the issue of stabilization in crossed fields now settled, very long
lifetimes are but a matter of engineering!
1 P.A. M. Dirac, Proc. Roy. Soc. A .126, 360 (1930).
2 C. D. Anderson, Phys. Rev. 43,491 (1933).
3 O. Chamberlain, E. Segre, C. Wiegand and T. Ypsi1antis, Phys. Rev. 100,947 (1955).
4 G. Luders, Ann. Phys. 2, 1-15 (1957).
5 P. Hill and C. Peterson, Mechanics of Thermodynamics of Propulsion, 2nd ed., Addison - Wesley Publishing Co.
(1992).
6 G. Herken, "The Flying Crowbar", Air and Space Magazine, Vol. 5 (#1), p. 28, April/May (1990)
( http:// WWW. merkle. co m/p Iuto/pl u to. htm I) .
7 R. W. Bussard and R. D. Delauer, Fundamentals of Nuclear Flight, McGraw-HIii Book Co. (1965)
8 G. A. Smith et al., "Revolutionary Positron Conversion", Final Technical Report, AFRL Contract F08630-00-C-
0010, Eglin AFB, FL, March (2002).
9 O. Chamberlain, E. Segre, C. Wiegand and T. Ypsilantis, Phys. Rev. 100, 947 (1955)
10 G. Luders, Ann. Phys. 2, 1-15 (1957).
11 G. A. Smith et al., "Revolutionary Positron Conversion", Final Technical Report, AFRL Contract F08630-00-C-
0010, Eglin AFB, FL, March (2002).
12 Ibid.
13 Ibid.
14 Ibid.
15 Ibid.
16 Ibid.
17 Ibid.
18 Ibid.
19 Northrop-Grumman Corp: Report to Kaiser-Marquardt for HTHL blended-body SSTD engine, "Vision Vehicle Final
Report," April 30 (1998).
20 G. A. Smith et al., "A Revolutionary Positron Based SSRV Vehicle for Application to Human Exploration and
Development of Space", The Advanced Space Propulsion Workshop, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville,
AL, April 2-6 (2001).
21 Northrop-Grumman Corp: Report to Kaiser-Marquardt for HTHL blended-body SSTD engine, "Vision Vehicle Final
ReporV April 30 (1998).
22 G. A. Smith et al., "A Revolutionary Positron Based SSRV Vehicle for Application to Human Exploration and
Development of Space", The Advanced Space Propulsion Workshop, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville,
AL, April 2-6 (2001).
23 Ibid.
24 Ibid.
25 Ibid.
26 Ibid.
27 G. A. Smith, "Positron Propelled and Powered Space Transport Vehicle for Planetary Missions", NIAC Phase I
Final Report, Research Subaward No. 07605-003-048, September 1, 2005 - March 31, 2006.
28 Ibid.
29 D.R. Koenig, "Experience Gained from the Space Nuclear Rocket Program (Rover)," LA-10062-H, Los Alamos
National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM., May (1986).
30 G. A. Smith, "Positron Propelled and Powered Space Transport Vehicle for Planetary Missions", NIAC Phase I
Final Report, Research Subaward No. 07605-003-048, September 1, 2005 - March 31, 2006.
31 L. E. Thode et al., J. Propulsion and Power 14, 4 (1998).
32 D. I. Poston and T. Kammash, Nuclear Science and Engineering 122, 32 (1996).
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