AbstractIn this paper we look at the ultimate limits of a photon propulsion rocket. The maximum velocity for a photon propulsion rocket is just below the speed of light and is a function of the reduced Compton wavelength of the heaviest subatomic particles in the rocket. We are basically combining the relativistic rocket equation with Haug's new insight on the maximum velocity for anything with rest mass.An interesting new finding is that in order to accelerate any subatomic “fundamental” particle to its maximum velocity, the particle rocket basically needs two Planck masses of initial load. This might sound illogical until one understands that subatomic particles with different masses have different maximum velocities. This can be generalized to large rockets and gives us the maximum theoretical velocity of a fully-efficient and ideal rocket. Further, no additional fuel is needed to accelerate a Planck mass particle to its maximum velocity; this also might sound absurd, but it has a very simple and logical solution that is explained in this paper.
HighlightsThe maximum velocity of a photon rocket.Slower than the speed of light, but considerably faster than what is achieved at LHC.Two Planck masses of fuel are needed to obtain maximum velocity for a particle.
The ultimate limits of the relativistic rocket equation. The Planck photon rocket
Acta Astronautica ; 136 ; 144-147
2017-03-12
4 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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