Hyperdrive Feasibility: German and US Army Developments | New Scientist

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of hyperdrive technology, particularly in relation to developments by German researchers and the US Army. Participants explore theoretical and practical aspects of hyperdrive systems, referencing specific scientific claims and challenges associated with magnetic fields required for such technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention a German researcher, Heim, who has worked on hyperdrive systems, and the US Army's current feasibility project.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the claims made in the New Scientist article, noting a lack of specific citations and evidence to support the feasibility of hyperdrive technology.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the magnetic field strength required to counteract Earth's gravitational pull on a spacecraft, with references to the need for a 25 tesla field, which is significantly stronger than Earth's magnetic field.
  • Participants discuss the challenges associated with generating high magnetic fields, including the limitations of superconducting magnets and the transient nature of high-field pulse magnets developed at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
  • There is mention of the interest from NASA and the US Defense Department in alternative theories, despite the lack of substantiation for Heim's theory.
  • One participant speculates on the strategic implications of hyperdrive technology, suggesting that the US military's interest is partly driven by concerns over potential advancements by other nations, such as China.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express skepticism about the current claims regarding hyperdrive technology, with no consensus on the validity of Heim's theory or the feasibility of the proposed magnetic field strengths. Multiple competing views remain regarding the potential for hyperdrive development and its implications.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in the current understanding of the required magnetic fields and the challenges in maintaining such fields with existing technology. There is also an acknowledgment of the need for more substantial evidence to support the theoretical claims made in the discussion.

Nevek
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Nevek said:
Ok i send this topic only for information about that topic. If some one have information and plan about that just post your reply. For Instance I got something interesting about that topic. A german have worked on an hyperdrive system and the US army is now working on a feasibility project. Here the link: http://www.newscientist.com/channel/fundamentals/mg18925331.200-take-a-leap-into-hyperspace.html
If the German is Heim, then some of us have heard of the work.

I'm in the camp of skeptics. It's not proven and the New Scientist article doesn't give much to quell the skepticism. It would be nice if the article cited specific papers.

Some problems I see - "Dröscher and Häuser say that to completely counter Earth's pull on a 150-tonne spacecraft a magnetic field of around 25 tesla would be needed. While that's 500,000 times the strength of Earth's magnetic field, pulsed magnets briefly reach field strengths up to 80 tesla." Steady state fields in superconducting magnets have threshold of about 12 T before they loose their ability to maintain the field.

Scientists at National High Magnetic Field Laboratory have constructed a pulse magnet which generates a field up to 60T, but I believe that is within a small cavity. It is also a transient phenomenon.

Developing the 60-tesla magnet was a challenge for engineers. The magnetic forces are so strong they want to rip apart the magnet, which is why the electromagnetic coils must be wrapped in steel blankets. The outer coil is large enough for a person or two to fit inside; the central core, where the samples are placed for study, is but a few inches across.

I've not heard or read of any substantiation of Heim's theory. Nevertheless, the NASA and US Defense Department are always interested in alternative ideas/theories.
 
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Astronuc said:
If the German it Heim, then some of us have heard of the work.

I'm in the camp of skeptics. It's not proven and the New Scientist article doesn't give much to quell the skepticism. It would be nice if the article cited specific papers.

Some problems I see - "Dröscher and Häuser say that to completely counter Earth's pull on a 150-tonne spacecraft a magnetic field of around 25 tesla would be needed. While that's 500,000 times the strength of Earth's magnetic field, pulsed magnets briefly reach field strengths up to 80 tesla." Steady state fields in superconducting magnets have threshold of about 12 T before they loose their ability to maintain the field.

Scientists at National High Magnetic Field Laboratory have constructed a pulse magnet which generates a field up to 60T, but I believe that is within a small cavity. It is also a transient phenomenon.



I've not heard or read of any substantiation of Heim's theory. Nevertheless, the NASA and US Defense Department are always interested in alternative ideas/theories.
It's a GOOD idea for the US Military to take an interest... what they don't want is the Chinese to develop Hyper Drive before they do... otherwise when they get to Mars they might find the Chinese there... with an upper hand...


<< post edited by berkeman >>
 
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