< Back to Volume 12, Number 2
Volume 12: Number 2: Article 4
Can the Vacuum Be Engineered for Spaceflight Applications?
Overview of Theory and Experiments
H.E. Puthoff, Institute for Advanced Studies at Austin, 4030 W. Braker
Lane, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78759-5329
Quantum theory predicts, and experiments verify, that empty space (the
vacuum) contains an enormous residual background energy known as zero-point
energy (ZPE). Originally thought to be of significance only for such
esoteric concerns as small perturbations to atomic emission processes,
it is now known to play a role in large-scale phenomena of interest
to technologists as well, such as the inhibition of spontaneous emission,
the generation of short-range attractive forces (e.g., the Casimir
force), and the possibility of accounting for sonoluminescence phenomena.
ZPE topics of interest for spaceflight applications range from fundamental
issues (where does inertia come from, can it be controlled?), through
laboratory attempts to extract useful energy from vacuum fluctuations
(can the ZPE be "mined" for practical use?), to scientifically grounded
extrapolations concerning "engineering the vacuum" (is "warp-drive"
space propulsion a scientific possibility?). Recent advances in research
into the physics of the underlying ZPE indicate the possibility of potential
application in all these areas of interest.
Keywords: zero-point energy, inertia, gravitation, warp drive
FULL TEXT:
Can the Vacuum Be Engineered for Spaceflight Applications? Overview of Theory and Experiments
To purchase back issues contact Allen Marketing & Management: 1-800-627-0629
