Author Topic: Antimatter belt around Earth discovered by Pamela craft  (Read 11508 times)

Offline Robotbeat

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 39270
  • Minnesota
  • Liked: 25240
  • Likes Given: 12115
Re: Antimatter belt around Earth discovered by Pamela craft
« Reply #20 on: 08/10/2011 08:34 pm »
This is not a joke.


couldn't resist.
Chris  Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers. US law http://goo.gl/YZYNt0

Offline Avitoholl

  • Member
  • Posts: 41
  • Louisiana
  • Liked: 2
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Antimatter belt around Earth discovered by Pamela craft
« Reply #21 on: 08/11/2011 01:41 am »
From the paper (see Fig. 1 and Table 1) one could deduce an integrated antiproton flux of 200 antiprotons/(s*m^2). If this estimate is correct than a magnetic scoop with effective magnetic funnel diameter of 10km (the current loop that generates the field will be much smaller, probably 100m in diameter) will collect 12 nanograms per year. This is three orders of magnitude higher compared to what is currently produced by all particle accelerators on Earth (mostly in CERN).

There could be something here!

« Last Edit: 08/11/2011 02:17 am by Avitoholl »

Offline DLR

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 497
  • Liked: 20
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Antimatter belt around Earth discovered by Pamela craft
« Reply #22 on: 08/11/2011 11:03 am »
Yes it is. Making a drawing of something doesn't make it a fact.  I could draw a warp drive, but that doesn't make it a serious proposal.

It's a conceptional engine design, which could be built using near-term technology. It would require a dedicated R&D effort and quite a bit of funding, but there's nothing speculative about it. The amounts of antimatter required are so small that you wouldn't even need to construct a dedicated production facility.

Antiprotons are used to trigger a fission/fusion reaction in D-T pellets coated in Uranium which are compressed by particle beams. The use of antiprotons to catalyze the reaction leads to a dramatic reduction in the beam energy required to start fusion. Read up on it before making silly statements such as likening it to a warp drive ...

Offline Nomadd

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8839
  • Lower 48
  • Liked: 60430
  • Likes Given: 1305
Re: Antimatter belt around Earth discovered by Pamela craft
« Reply #23 on: 08/11/2011 11:26 am »
 You have a funny definition of "near term technology"
Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who couldn't hear the music.

Offline DLR

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 497
  • Liked: 20
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Antimatter belt around Earth discovered by Pamela craft
« Reply #24 on: 08/11/2011 11:59 am »
Could we develop and build something like this within ten years provided we make a large enough effort? I suppose so. Will it be an engineering challenge? Definitely!

Tags:
 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement Northrop Grumman
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
0