In this episode, we talk about the possible applications of IAP in outer space, and how making electricity as the main source of fuel can revolutionize thrust production in outer space.
Welcome back to Jets in Space, This is episode 3.
Some say “start with the why”, but I felt the 2 previous episodes were needed as a foundation prior to the why.
Now with the basics out of the way, let’s talk about the why.
I agree with Elon Musk that our species is destined to be an interplanetary life form, and I feel called to contribute to this goal in my own little way.
In my opinion, IAP would help decrease costs and improve overall access to extra earth activities.
#1: Decrease fuel costs.
First and foremost, IAP technology as described in previous episodes, could remove the current dependence upon chemical reaction rocketry as the main form of propulsion between 2 planetary bodies. For brute lifting power, rockets will remain the most likely method to lift objects off the surface of the earth into orbit. I have some ideas about IAP in low earth orbit, but that will be explored in a later episode.
Consider the Apollo missions: The Saturn V rocket was used to lift a smaller Saturn B section into orbit and that vessel traveled to lunar orbit.
What if, instead of of a chemical rocket, we used IAP to get an already earth orbiting spacecraft into a lunar injection pathway. As IAP relies on electrical power, the craft would act like a tugboat, accelerating the lunar craft to escape velocity, traveling with the lunar craft into near lunar orbit, then decelerating the craft into lunar orbit.
This IAP “tugboat” could travel back and forth from earth orbit to lunar orbit thousands of times like a current day airliner. The savings on fuel costs would be astronomical (pun intended).
#2: Logistical Boom.
IAP in addition to being great as a earth to lunar shuttle can also be used as a supply chain once colonies can be established on the moon and other planetary bodies. Logistical support will be the life blood of colonies until they can be self sufficient. If IAP shuttles are available, without concerns for fuel depots, a steady supply of materials and personnel can be transported by the IAP vehicles.
#3: Probe Craft
If you have seen the first Star Trek movie, you are familiar with the Voyager spacecraft. This probe used rocket technology to send it on a one way trip to the ends of the galaxy. I’m actually curious as to the exact location of the Voyager spacecraft at the date of this recording.
With IAP, a probe craft could have potentially an unlimited supply of fuel until the hardware breaks down. Theoretically, as fuel is not a limiting factor, we could send the probe outward for 5 years, then bring it back in another 5 years, depending on the expected life span of the hardware.
#4: Orbital Repair and Repositioning.
I remember watching space shuttle missions where the shuttle would rendezvous with damaged satellites to repair and/or reposition the orbiting craft such as the Hubble Telescope. With IAP and its low fuel costs. A “repair shuttle” could be docked at a space station like the ISP (International Space Station) and be available for any repair missions. We wouldn’t need to get a repair crew all the way from earth to the craft in need of repair. We would just have to get them to the ISP or other space station.
#5:⛏ Mining.
Natural resources outside of the earth will be a major factor in the sustainability of interplanetary travel. The ability to refine metals off the surface of the earth will directly impact interplanetary expansion. Our propulsion systems will make mining operations fore economically feasible for all the reasons mentioned above.
In a later episode, we will discuss possible underwater applications for IAP as well.
Some may say, why don’t we try to turn all airline jets into electric Tesla jets. If you look at the trend in the automotive world, it seems like every major car company has an electric car now. I truly hope we will have Tesla jets in the near future, but that technology won’t help us in the vacuum of space directly. I want us to get to the stars ✨ and IAP is more directly focused on this goal.
Our podcast engineer sent me a report recently that we have episode downloads detected in Germany 🇩🇪. Guten Tag!! And Danke Schoen!!!
We are excited about the international interest in IAP!!
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