NASA WARP-Speed Technology Program Put on Hold. (BPP Program)

NASA ^ | June 28, 2002: | Editorial Staff

[vannrox]

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Welcome to the
NASA Breakthrough Propulsion Physics (BPP) Project
Public Information Site

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NEWS June 28, 2002:

*** Funding in jeopardy for Breakthrough Propulsion Physics (BPP) ***

This posting is to alert those researchers who were planning to submit a proposal to the Fall 2002 call for BPP proposals, that this solicitation must now be put on hold, pending resolution of future budgets.

The budget for the Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project is being cut.  Not only are all future years’ budgets in question, but also 21% of the funds already allocated for this year have been requested to be withdrawn for transfer to the much larger "3rd Generation" Space Transportation Project, managed by Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).  It is uncertain if these reductions will be repaired.

- Click here for more budget details -

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To see more BPP artwork click on the picture

ABOUT BPP- In 1996, NASA established the Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project to seek the ultimate breakthroughs in space transportation: (1) propulsion that requires no propellant mass, (2) propulsion that attains the maximum transit speeds physically possible, and (3) breakthrough methods of energy production to power such devices.  Topics of interest include experiments and theories regarding the coupling of gravity and electromagnetism, the quantum vacuum, hyperfast travel, and superluminal quantum effects. Because the propulsion goals are presumably far from fruition, a special emphasis is to identify affordable, near-term, and credible research that could make measurable progress toward these propulsion goals.

This web site describes the methods and activities of the Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project. For an introduction about the challenges of interstellar travel and some of the emerging concepts, please visit our "Warp Drive- When?" site.

The Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project is managed by the Glenn Research Center (GRC), and is sponsored by the Advanced Space Transportation Program, managed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL.
 

CONTENTS

• NEW

• What is BPP?

• Publications and Conferences

• Research

• What's next

• Links

• FAQ

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NEW

• (July 16, 2002) Added "Weekly Updates" section - posting of occasional progress reports.

• (July 16, 2002) Adding "Common Errors" section - posting of erroneous breakthrough propulsion concepts commonly received.

• (June 28, 2002) News of budget cuts

• (June 28, 2002) Added "Special Challenges" section - description of why this work is more difficult than just the physics.

OVERVIEW OF BPP

• Formal BPP Project Plan (Fiscal Year 2001)

• Project Overview Presentation (About 30 slides, but no accompanying text)

• Description of project goals, methods, and emerging opportunities(10 pages long including reference list)

• Previous call for proposals (As reference for future calls for proposals)

• Archive

CONFERENCES AND PUBLICATIONS

PROJECT PUBLICATIONS:

The following publications are from the BPP project.  In those cases where electronic copies are available, links are indicated. To get paper copies of US Government reports, contact the National Technical Information Service (NTIS)  (There is a modest per-page fee associated with copies.) To get copies of AIAA reports, contact the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics  (There is a fee associated with copies.)

• BPP-sponsored papers from July 2001 Joint Propulsion Conference.  NOTE that only 5 of the papers listed (those with electronic copies posted) are those sponsored by the BPP Project. The list of 2001 Joint Propulsion Conference BPP Session papers, also includes papers sponsored by others sources as well.

• Millis and Williamson, ed., (1999) "NASA Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Workshop Proceedings," NASA/CP-1999-208694, Proceedings of a conference held at and sponsored by NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland Ohio, August 12-14, 1997. (Jan. 99) (456 pg.). NOTE: a short workshop summary, NASA TM-97-206241, is available electronically.

• Millis (1998) "NASA Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Program", NASA/TM-1998-208400

• Millis (1997) "Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Workshop Preliminary Results," NASA TM-97-206241

• Millis (1997) "Challenge to Create the Space Drive," AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 13, pp. 577-582

• Millis (1996) "Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Research Program," NASA TM-107381

      CONFERENCE PUBLICATIONS:

The following publications consist of conference or workshop sessions, listed in reverse chronological order, that contain papers submitted to the BPP project.  Inclusion of these papers does not in any way imply NASA endorsement of their contents.

• 37th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Salt Lake City, UT, 2001.  (Click here for Paper List)

• El-Genk, M. S., ed. (2000) "Space Technology and Applications International Forum 2000,"  American Institute of Physics, AIP Conference Proceedings 504.  (The papers on BPP topics are in pages 998-1132.)

• 35th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.  (The papers on BPP topics are AIAA 99-2143 through AIAA 99-2147)

• El-Genk, M. S., ed. (1999) "Space Technology and Applications International Forum 1999,"  American Institute of Physics, AIP Conference Proceedings 458.  (The papers on BPP topics are in pages 875-937 and 954-1059.)

• Millis and Williamson, ed., (1999) "NASA Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Workshop Proceedings," NASA/CP-1999-208694, Proceedings of a conference held at and sponsored by NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland Ohio, August 12-14, 1997. (Jan. 99) (456 pg.). NOTE: a short workshop summary, NASA TM-97-206241, is available electronically.

• 34th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Cleveland, OH, 1998.  (The papers on BPP topics are AIAA 98-3136 through AIAA 98-3143)

• El-Genk, M. S., ed. (1998) "Space Technology and Applications International Forum 1998,"  American Institute of Physics, AIP Conference Proceedings 420.  (The papers on BPP topics are in pages 1435-1461 and 1502-1534.)

• Li, N., Noever, D., Robertson, T., Koczor, R., and Brantley, W. (1997) "Static Test for a Gravitational Force Coupled to Type II YBCO Superconductors," In Physica C, Vol. 281, pp. 260-267.

    PRESS COVERAGE:

 DiChristina, Mariette, "Space at WARP Speed", in Popular Science, p 47-51, (May 2001)

Millis, Marc G., "The big mystery: Interstellar travel", MSNBC News, 4 pages, (Monday, November 2, 1998)    (http://www.msnbc.com/news/207618.asp)

Rogers, Adam, "Department of Warp Drive and Wormholes", in Newsweek, p.12,
(August 31, 1998).

Greenwald, Jeff, "To Infinity...and Beyond", in Wired, p 90-97, (July 1998).

Burkey, Martin (Times Aerospace/Science Writer), "Science fiction blends with science as experts discuss NASA studies", in The Huntsville Times, p B4, (Thursday,
February 12, 1998)

Kuznik, Frank, "The Need for Speed", in Smithsonian Air & Space, p 15-16,
(December 1997/January 1998)

Millis, Marc G., "Breaking Through To The Stars", in Ad Astra, p 36-40,
(January/February 1997)

David, Leonard, "Warning: Mind Fields", in Final Frontier, p. 19-23,
(January/February 1997)

RESEARCH

• BPP-sponsored papers from July 2001 Joint Propulsion Conference.  NOTE that only 5 of the papers listed (those with electronic copies posted) are those sponsored by the BPP Project.  The list of 2001 Joint Propulsion Conference BPP Session papers, also includes papers sponsored by others sources as well.

• Description of currently funded research

• Short reference list (from NASA TM 97-206241)

• Assessing the unsolved challenges of propulsion without propellant (from the AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power)

WHAT'S NEXT

In January, 2002, the NASA BPP Project and the Ohio Aeronautical Institute (OAI) signed a formal Cooperative Agreement to establish the Breakthrough Propulsion Physics (BPP) Consortium.  The OAI will handle its implementation, with an anticipated start-up in the 4th Quarter of 2002.

This Research Consortium will facilitate easier collaboration with universities and industry and provide the administrative functions to manage the large number of geographically dispersed participants in BPP research.   It will find, support and coordinate the best research to make credible progress toward the visionary BPP goals, and to disseminate the results for the benefit of all.

Presently the organization of an Advisory Council for the Consortium is in progress.  The Advisory Council will oversee member participation, research solicitations and prioritization of candidate research, and the build up and maintenance of an electronic database of research proposals and results (database implementation is underway).  The objective is to include renowned physicists, a liaison of NASA Glenn, representatives from the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and any significant outside sponsors, on this Advisory Council.

The next call for research proposals is currently on hold due to recent budget cuts and uncertain future funding.  If and when a formal call is made, it will be issued from this Consortium.  The Consortium plans to issue formal research solicitations every other year from that point.   All research submissions will be evaluated by a peer review using a two-stage review process similar to the first BPP research solicitation (NRA-99-LeRC-1).
 

OTHER GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES

Note: Some of these links will take you out of the NASA domain.  Use your browser's "back" feature if you wish to return to this NASA site.

• NASA Home Page

• NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
  • Programs and Projects at Glenn

  • Pioneering Ion Propulsion Research

  • Space Propulsion Research

  • Microgravity Research

• NASA Space Transportation Programs (NASA MSFC)

• NASA Science News (NASA MSFC)

• NASA Office of Space Science (NASA HQ)

• Advanced Concepts Program (NASA Office of Space Science)

• NASA Origins Program

• Gravity Probe B

• LIGO - Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory

• Fundamental Physics in Microgravity Research Program

• Interstellar Probe Missions:
  • Missions under consideration by the NASA Office of Space Science

  • Technology options under study by NASA JPL

• NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts

• US AF European Office of Aerospace Research & Development   (EOARD)

NON-GOVERNMENT LINKS

Note: These links are provided for the convenience of Internert users. Links do not imply NASA endorsement of any group or organization outside the Agency. These links will take you out of the NASA domain.  Use your browser's "back" feature if you wish to return to this NASA site.

• Quantum Fields - LLC

• Essays about cutting-edge science by John G. Cramer

• Chiao Group Home Page

• Tutorial on Particle Physics

• About the IBM Quantum Teleportation Research

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 
 

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If you have questions regarding the BPP Project or if you have problems reading or browsing this web site, please contact the BPP Project Document Control Specialist, Jean Schuerger of QSS Group, Inc.

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Responsible Official for Content:  Marc G. Millis
Curator:  Jean Schuerger, QSS Group, Inc.
Last update: July-17- 2002

[vannrox]

WOW...Too bad its killed.

[Free the USA]

Index Bump

[RightWhale]

NASA's rudder is broken and their sails are shredded and they are drifting with the political winds. They are stuck with the Space Shuttle fleet and the ISS, which is killing everything else. Write it off, they are into diminishing returns to the 99th percentile.

Both projects should be cancelled. NASA should do more science and start a new program to build a moon base. Same budget.

[crypt2k]

Let's directly confirm lunar polar ice with a low-cost unmanned mission (<$30 million).
At this point, the evidence is indirect and of low confidence.

[RightWhale]

Let's directly confirm lunar polar ice

Several programs are underway right now to check out the lunar polar ice if any. None of these programs are from NASA.

[crypt2k]

NASA's rudder is broken and their sails are shredded and they are drifting with the political wind

O'Keefe's nuclear initiative seems to have faltered. He put Europa and Pluto missions on hold to get them thinking about using nuclear propulsion, getting there faster and doing more once they get there. Nobody seems to be listening.

[crypt2k]

Several programs are underway right now to check out the lunar polar ice if any.

And they are all in the >$100 million category. Good luck.

[RightWhale]

The rocket to get there will cost $100 million by itself. Then you will want some kind of remote lab, either in polar orbit or crawling around on the ground. Big bucks.

[crypt2k]

A russian "Rockot" can be used - cost: $15,000,000.

[Senator Pardek]

If a a child is born on a moon base of American parents (he would obviously not be an Earthling), would he automatically be granted U.S. citizenship?

[Paul Atreides]

If a a child is born on a moon base of American parents (he would obviously not be an Earthling), would he automatically be granted U.S. citizenship?

If Dick Gophart is still alive, he will be.

[ECM]

LMAO

[Brett66]

I would think so because no one has proclaimed an independent state on the moon. There is no government for them to be affiliated with.

[RightWhale]

(he would obviously not be an Earthling)

Admiralty Law. Is it considered an extension of US territory? The ship would be if under American flag. The base if owned by America. It gets into an extension of maritime and deep sea law. Lot of extending going on.

[Willie Green]

WARP DRIVE NOW!!!.

Magnetic levitation (Maglev) is an advanced technology in which magnetic forces lift, propel, and guide a vehicle over a guideway. Utilizing state-of-the-art electric power and control systems, this configuration eliminates contact between vehicle and guideway and permits cruising speeds of up to 300 mph, or almost two times the speed of conventional high-speed rail service. Because of its high speed, Maglev offers competitive trip-time savings to auto and aviation modes in the 40- to 600-mile travel markets–an ideal travel option for the 21st century.

Both the Pennsylvania and Baltimore-Washington plans utilize maglev technology developed by Transrapid International. The German design is based on a conventional non-superconductingelectromagnetic/attractive magnetic configuration, and has received extensive testing at a full-scale test track in Emsland, Germany. The latest design represents over 20 years of design evolution and 15 years' testing of full-scale Transrapid prototypes, including safety certification by the German government for passenger-carrying revenue service at speeds of 250 mph or higher.

Highlights of the Transrapid system are:

• High cruising speeds of 200 to 300 mph (320 kph to 480 kph)
  
• Fast acceleration and braking with outstanding passenger comfort
  
• Can climb 10% grades at full speed
  
• Safe operation on dedicated grade-separated track, or guideway
  
• Vehicle wraps around guideway to reduce risk of derailment
  
• Low electromagnetic field emission and interference potential
  
• Standard superelevation, or tilt, of 12 degrees (max. up to 16 degrees) to navigate curves
  
• Proven and tested automatic operations control system
  
• Minimal guideway maintenance with small footprint
  
• High system capacity
  
• Guideway energized sequentially for dynamic vehicle "block" control and reduced power demand
  
• Improved aerodynamic vehicle design for minimal turbulence
  
• Multiple levels of redundancy built in for safe operations at all speeds
  
• Final safety approval anticipated in Germany for commercial operations
  
• Prior evaluation and safety analysis by the US Department of
  Transportation accepted Transrapid for deployment in Orlando, Florida in 1992

The Transrapid is suitable for transporting goods as well. For high-speed cargo transport, special cargo sections can be combined with passenger sections or assembled to form dedicated cargo trains (payload up to 18 tons per section). As the propulsion system is in the guideway, neither the length of the vehicle nor the payload affect the acceleration power.

If you would like more information about Maglev, visit the Transrapid International website or Maglev of Pennsylvania or the Baltimore-Washington Maglev Project

[Brett66]

Doggone it! I liked this program, maybe private companies will continue some of this reaearch. I was especially wanting to hear from this guy on further research that NASA was funding:

James F. Woodward: Mach's Principle Weight Reduction = Propellantless Propulsion

[NEWwoman]

If a a child is born on a moon base of American parents (he would obviously not be an Earthling), would he automatically be granted U.S. citizenship?

If Dick Gophart is still alive, he will be.

Only if he/she votes Democrat.</>

[RckyRaCoCo]

"we are thiiisss close! If you just give us mo money we'll....."

think i've heard this song before, mostly from the medical science community..... or Jerry Lewis.