The Antimatter Photon Drive - A relativistic propulsion system

Abstract

This paper describes a propulsion system that derives its thrust from electron-positron annihilation. It also describes how a spacecraft equipped with this engine can be used to launch manned missions to Mars and Jupiter in as little as 3.8 and 10.8 days respectively. Technical problems associated with the antimatter engine and potential solutions are also discussed. Throughout this paper, this engine is referred to as the Antimatter Photon Drive or (APD).

Matter/Anti-Matter Propulsion

“…By the late 1990s and early 2000s, anti-matter propulsion became a topic of increased research and discussion [11][12][13]. In the United States, at least two programs were undertaken to further matter/anti-matter propulsion.…”

Antimatter Propulsion and its Application for Interstellar Travel: A Review

“…It has been estimated that a milligram of antimatter, i.e., 10 21 antiprotons, is required for a simplistic orbit shift maneuver and the requirement for interstellar flyovers goes up to tons [4]. A two-way trip to Mars involving a 500-ton mass in one hundred and fifty days would need 12g of antimatter [6]. Rocket engine prospects that involve comparatively low specific impulses seem viable due to the energy of the products of annihilation and these engines have about 50% efficiency when converting annihilation energy to propulsion energy [7].…”