Self contained U transit drive for spacecraft

In summary, a proposed transit drive for a spacecraft involves two combustion chambers and two exhaust nozzles that are positioned parallel to the ship's width and perpendicular to its length. The fuel, which is made up of incremental accelerating elements, is pumped into the chambers and expelled through the nozzles, colliding against the ship's midship bulkhead to push it forward. However, this design is not feasible as it violates the laws of physics and is essentially a perpetual motion machine.
  • #1
Newtype
39
0
First of all this is not a perpetual motion machine. This type of transit drive works in theory by having two combustion chambers positioned parallel to the spacecraft 's width and perpendicular to its length. Each of the two exhaust nozzles are also positioned parallel to the spacecraft 's width and perpendicular to its length. Fuel is pumped into the combustion chambers and goes out the two exhaust nozzles at high velocity, and each fuel exhuast half next travels through a half of the U shaped tunnel until they both collide against the ship's midship bulkhead pushing the spacecraft forwards. The fuel is made up of multitudes of theorized systematic new elements in which each element provides an incremental acceleration when it combusts (each latter fuel element is more combustible than the former fuel element). The fuel exhausts don't exit the spacecraft . The structure of the U tunnel, combustion chambers, exhaust nozzles, etc. are made up of a theorized new super element I call superglass (the superglass structure negates the necessity of magnetic fields to contain the exhaust particles to keep them from melting spacecraft structure).
 
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  • #2
Doesn't work - no net forward momentum change.
Picture a simplified version, gun (pointing forward) fires bullet into a u tube which returns the bullet backwards to a catchers mit next to the gun.

1, Gun fires
The gun, and the ship it is attached to go backward. Bullet goes forward.
Ship receives one unit of backward momentum, bullet gets one unit equal forward momentum.

2, Bullet hits the curve in the u-tube
Bullet exchanges momentum with the tube and changes direction.
Bullet is now going backwards ship is going forward.
Since the bullet direction has changed sign, the ship gets two units of forward momentum the bullet has one backward unit.

3, Bullet caught and reused.
Bullet loses all it's momentum
Catches mit, and the ship it is attached to receive one one unit of backward momentum

4. Everything cancels out - and everything is now stationary in exactly the same place as before.

Note - if you left out the catchers mit and let the bullet go out the back - then the ship would have one unit of forward momentum, this would be exactly the same (ignoring losses) as just firing the gun out of the back.
 
  • #3
1. You didn't completely read the first half of my paragraph. I said "two combustion chambers positioned parallel to the spacecraft 's width and perpendicular to its length". The combustion chambers aren't parallel to the ship's length and perpendicular to the ship's width. The fuel exhausts move sideways in relation to the ship's forward structure when they exit the combustion chambers & fuel exhausts.

2. No, when the exhausts enter the curves they press forward pushing the ship forward somewhat.

3. When exhausts hit midship bulkhead they push the ship forwards. (Try imagining an open box hit by a volleyball in space - the volleyball enters the box and pushes it forwards).
 
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  • #4
I was trying to simplify it so you could see where you fundemantally went wrong.

It's the problem with most perpetual motion machines - it's obvious in the simplest cases and then people add wheels-within-wheels or wheels at angles until they have confused themselves into believing it.
 
  • #5
Again you failed to read that paragraph. I specifically typed "this is not a perpetual motion machine".
 
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  • #6
Newtype said:
Again you failed to read that paragraph. I specifically typed "this is not a perpetual motion machine".
Just because you claimed that this is not a perpetual motion machine does not make it so. This is a perpetual motion machine.

Thread closed.
 

1. What is a self-contained U transit drive for spacecraft?

A self-contained U transit drive is a propulsion system designed for spacecraft that uses a unique combination of nuclear fission and fusion reactions to generate energy and thrust. It is a compact and efficient way to power spacecraft for long-distance travel.

2. How does a self-contained U transit drive work?

The drive uses a small, highly enriched uranium fuel pellet as its energy source. The fuel is surrounded by a layer of deuterium gas and a layer of beryllium. When the fuel is ignited, the deuterium gas is heated and compressed, triggering a fusion reaction. This reaction releases a large amount of energy, which is then used to heat and expand the beryllium layer, creating thrust.

3. What are the advantages of a self-contained U transit drive?

One of the main advantages of this type of propulsion system is its high efficiency. It can produce extremely high levels of thrust with very little fuel, making it ideal for long-distance space travel. Additionally, the compact design of the drive allows for more space for cargo or scientific equipment.

4. Are there any risks associated with using a self-contained U transit drive?

While the use of nuclear reactions for propulsion may raise concerns, the self-contained U transit drive has been designed with safety in mind. The amount of radioactive material used is small and contained within the fuel pellet, reducing the risk of contamination. Additionally, the drive is equipped with advanced safety protocols to prevent any accidents.

5. Is a self-contained U transit drive currently in use?

At this time, a self-contained U transit drive is still in the early stages of development and has not been used in any space missions. However, there are plans to test and potentially use this type of propulsion system in the near future.

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