fut_v_bw_o_n (ca. 1961/62, Ryan Aeronautical photo no. 62133)
“Illustration of an aerospace vehicle which incorporates an aero-electric propulsion system features circular disk configuration.”
The above, and all following, taken from “Ryan Reporter”, VOL. 23, FEB., 1962, NO. 1:
“ELECTRICITY for SPACE EXPLORATION
"I have produced electrical discharges the actual path of which, from end to end, was probably more than one hundred feet long; but it would not be difficult to reach
lengths one hundred times as great.
"I have produced electrical movements occurring at the rate of approximately 100,000 horsepower, but rates of 1-, 5- or 10,000,000 horsepower are easily practicable.
"Instead of sending sound-vibrations toward a distant wall, I have sent electrical vibrations toward the remote boundaries of the earth, and instead of the wall the earth has replied. In place of an echo I have obtained a stationary electrical wave, a wave reflected from afar.
"My measurements and calculations have shown that it is perfectly practicable to produce on our globe, by the use of these principles, an electric movement of such magnitude that, without the slightest doubt, its effect will be perceptible on some of our nearer planets, as Venus and Mars. In fact, that we can produce a distinct effect on one of these planets in this novel manner, namely, by disturbing the electrical condition of the earth, is beyond
any doubt.
"We are whirling through endless space with an inconceivable speed, all around us everything is spinning, everything is moving, everywhere is energy. There must be some way of availing ourselves of this energy more directly. Then, with the light obtained from the medium, with the power derived from it, with every form of energy obtained without effort, from the store forever inexhaustible, humanity will advance with giant strides. The mere contemplation of these magnificent possibilities expands our minds, strengthens our hopes and fills our hearts with supreme delight."
Nikola Tesla – 1895
TESLA was an electrical genius whose scientific discoveries and inventions were basic to modern electrical and electronic engineering. He also discovered and demonstrated the principles of high frequency, high potential currents shown in the historic photograph on the preceding page. These were the famous Colorado Springs experiments. The electromagnetic fields created were so intense that they perceptibly affected the distribution of the electrical potential of the earth. In Tesla's words, "In these experiments, effects were developed incomparably greater than any ever produced by human agencies, and yet these results are but an embryo of what is to be."
Such a force field can be applied widely, including electric aerospace propulsion. Within the next ten years electric propulsion will play a leading role in making extensive space trips possible. This conclusion has been ex- pressed in recent years by many researchers. They have compared the advantages and limitations of various space propulsion methods.
Chemical propulsion is the only presently available means for attainment of orbital speeds and altitudes. This is its chief value. Multimillion pound chemical super- boosters can put significant payloads into interplanetary orbits for manned expeditions to the moon, and possibly Venus and Mars. The estimated cost of these projects is staggering. In addition, the exploration of our nearest planets requires transit times of one to three years for a round trip planned on the capability of chemical propulsion. This aspect alone is sufficient to make electric propulsion a highly advantageous method of fuel conservation. For trips beyond Mars, electric propulsion is mandatory both to conserve fuel and also to shorten transit time. Chemical systems would require years or even decades for a round trip. Electrically propelled space vehicles have great payload capability. A Martian round trip, for example, has a payload ratio of almost 50 per cent. This means that these electric vehicles will offer comfortable living space for "shirt-sleeve" environment and adequate power for utilities.
Most electric propulsion systems are very small thrust devices. This limits them to missions beyond the atmosphere of the earth. Because of this, it is believed that this shortcoming is in the nature of electric propulsion. Consequently, it appears that orbit injection can only be accomplished by chemical means, and by chemo-nuclear means in the future. Once the orbit is established, the electric system would take over in providing thrust.
There are very severe problems in maneuvering spacecraft. For example, the spacecraft may require a radically changing course, should an unexpected emergency occur during any point of trajectory.
Such maneuverability is absolutely necessary for practical space systems of the future which have progressed beyond the development stage of present rockets. Both the injection into orbit and practical maneuverability in space demand high thrust propulsion and fuel economy simultaneously. A possibility of meeting these requirements is electro-chemical propulsion. Here, chemical fuels provide a slight exhaust mass which is accelerated by ultra high electromagnetic fields. The prime source of vehicle energy, capable of producing the extremely high force fields, must not require chemical fuels for its own operation. This requires nuclear energy sources or some practical system of converting radiation energy pervading space. In either case, the vehicle size is certain to be large to accommodate the primary energy source. Its weight must not exceed a reasonable fraction of the vehicle's gross weight. Spaciousness is required for physiological and psychological comfort of the crew as well as to increase the safety against meteorite hazards by an interlock escape system. Most approaches involve the study of assembling large structures in space by combining rendezvous techniques with payload capability of large chemical boosters. However, there are severe problems of weightlessness, inertial forces of large parts floating in space, gyroscopic and tidal forces warping large space structures in various stages of assembly, and hazards to men working in free space.
An alternative to this approach of assembling large vehicles in space is being investigated at Ryan as a part of an Electric Aerospace Propulsion concept based on the following:
A completely assembled, large aerospace vehicle should be capable of performing throughout the altitude range, from hovering at sea level to the attainment of orbital speeds, in such a manner as to include the performance characteristics of a helicopter, a propeller aircraft, a jet airplane, a ramjet and a space vehicle into an integrated system design.
Theoretical investigations based on this premise and supported by an initial experimental program have indicated a possible solution to this objective. The key is contained in the afore- mentioned concept of electro-chemical propulsion, enlarged by the concept of an electric air breathing engine. Efficiency requires that the velocity of the exhaust jet should be matched to the vehicle velocity. At low speeds the jet velocity should be small. As vehicle speed is increased, so also should the jet velocity be increased to maintain high efficiency of energy conversion. However, using small jet velocities for take-off requires a large exhaust mass, as in the case of a helicopter whose rotor causes a large air mass to move with relatively small downwash velocity. At the somewhat higher speeds developed by subsonic aircraft, the rotor of a helicopter is replaced by a propeller which moves a smaller air mass at higher speeds. At the supersonic velocities of a jet airplane, the flow of exhaust mass is still smaller but its velocity is further increased.
With an electric air breathing engine this can be achieved by force field control, capable of moving large air masses at low speeds and smaller air masses at higher velocities. A number of vehicle geometries are suitable for satisfying the requirement of velocity and mass control of the exhaust jet. One such geometry, offering additional design advantages of minimum structural weight, large volume and cargo capacity combined with desirable aerothermodynamic characteristics, is shown in the illustration as a circular disk vehicle. This geometry is also particularly suitable for hovering close to ground, because the annular jet augments very substantially the cushion effect of the air trapped between the vehicle and the ground.
By these principles, the efficiency and the thrust of electric aerospace propulsion can be maintained at high levels throughout the entire velocity and altitude range. After leaving the atmosphere, electric propulsion consists of a combination of intense force fields accelerating colloidal chemical plasma; the heavier elements being
used for high thrust performance and lighter elements for sustained vehicle acceleration.
Research is continuing in the area of generation and control of high electro- magnetic field intensities and colloidal plasma combined with the principle of an electric air breathing engine. Aeroelectric propulsion is expected to be a practicable and valuable method for powering aerospace vehicles.”
At/from the wonderful Internet Archive website:
ia800700.us.archive.org/2/items/ryanreporter231263ryan/ry...
Very nice artwork by Ryan Aeronautical staff artist Matt Giacalone.
fut_v_bw_o_n (ca. 1961/62, Ryan Aeronautical photo no. 62133)
“Illustration of an aerospace vehicle which incorporates an aero-electric propulsion system features circular disk configuration.”
The above, and all following, taken from “Ryan Reporter”, VOL. 23, FEB., 1962, NO. 1:
“ELECTRICITY for SPACE EXPLORATION
"I have produced electrical discharges the actual path of which, from end to end, was probably more than one hundred feet long; but it would not be difficult to reach
lengths one hundred times as great.
"I have produced electrical movements occurring at the rate of approximately 100,000 horsepower, but rates of 1-, 5- or 10,000,000 horsepower are easily practicable.
"Instead of sending sound-vibrations toward a distant wall, I have sent electrical vibrations toward the remote boundaries of the earth, and instead of the wall the earth has replied. In place of an echo I have obtained a stationary electrical wave, a wave reflected from afar.
"My measurements and calculations have shown that it is perfectly practicable to produce on our globe, by the use of these principles, an electric movement of such magnitude that, without the slightest doubt, its effect will be perceptible on some of our nearer planets, as Venus and Mars. In fact, that we can produce a distinct effect on one of these planets in this novel manner, namely, by disturbing the electrical condition of the earth, is beyond
any doubt.
"We are whirling through endless space with an inconceivable speed, all around us everything is spinning, everything is moving, everywhere is energy. There must be some way of availing ourselves of this energy more directly. Then, with the light obtained from the medium, with the power derived from it, with every form of energy obtained without effort, from the store forever inexhaustible, humanity will advance with giant strides. The mere contemplation of these magnificent possibilities expands our minds, strengthens our hopes and fills our hearts with supreme delight."
Nikola Tesla – 1895
TESLA was an electrical genius whose scientific discoveries and inventions were basic to modern electrical and electronic engineering. He also discovered and demonstrated the principles of high frequency, high potential currents shown in the historic photograph on the preceding page. These were the famous Colorado Springs experiments. The electromagnetic fields created were so intense that they perceptibly affected the distribution of the electrical potential of the earth. In Tesla's words, "In these experiments, effects were developed incomparably greater than any ever produced by human agencies, and yet these results are but an embryo of what is to be."
Such a force field can be applied widely, including electric aerospace propulsion. Within the next ten years electric propulsion will play a leading role in making extensive space trips possible. This conclusion has been ex- pressed in recent years by many researchers. They have compared the advantages and limitations of various space propulsion methods.
Chemical propulsion is the only presently available means for attainment of orbital speeds and altitudes. This is its chief value. Multimillion pound chemical super- boosters can put significant payloads into interplanetary orbits for manned expeditions to the moon, and possibly Venus and Mars. The estimated cost of these projects is staggering. In addition, the exploration of our nearest planets requires transit times of one to three years for a round trip planned on the capability of chemical propulsion. This aspect alone is sufficient to make electric propulsion a highly advantageous method of fuel conservation. For trips beyond Mars, electric propulsion is mandatory both to conserve fuel and also to shorten transit time. Chemical systems would require years or even decades for a round trip. Electrically propelled space vehicles have great payload capability. A Martian round trip, for example, has a payload ratio of almost 50 per cent. This means that these electric vehicles will offer comfortable living space for "shirt-sleeve" environment and adequate power for utilities.
Most electric propulsion systems are very small thrust devices. This limits them to missions beyond the atmosphere of the earth. Because of this, it is believed that this shortcoming is in the nature of electric propulsion. Consequently, it appears that orbit injection can only be accomplished by chemical means, and by chemo-nuclear means in the future. Once the orbit is established, the electric system would take over in providing thrust.
There are very severe problems in maneuvering spacecraft. For example, the spacecraft may require a radically changing course, should an unexpected emergency occur during any point of trajectory.
Such maneuverability is absolutely necessary for practical space systems of the future which have progressed beyond the development stage of present rockets. Both the injection into orbit and practical maneuverability in space demand high thrust propulsion and fuel economy simultaneously. A possibility of meeting these requirements is electro-chemical propulsion. Here, chemical fuels provide a slight exhaust mass which is accelerated by ultra high electromagnetic fields. The prime source of vehicle energy, capable of producing the extremely high force fields, must not require chemical fuels for its own operation. This requires nuclear energy sources or some practical system of converting radiation energy pervading space. In either case, the vehicle size is certain to be large to accommodate the primary energy source. Its weight must not exceed a reasonable fraction of the vehicle's gross weight. Spaciousness is required for physiological and psychological comfort of the crew as well as to increase the safety against meteorite hazards by an interlock escape system. Most approaches involve the study of assembling large structures in space by combining rendezvous techniques with payload capability of large chemical boosters. However, there are severe problems of weightlessness, inertial forces of large parts floating in space, gyroscopic and tidal forces warping large space structures in various stages of assembly, and hazards to men working in free space.
An alternative to this approach of assembling large vehicles in space is being investigated at Ryan as a part of an Electric Aerospace Propulsion concept based on the following:
A completely assembled, large aerospace vehicle should be capable of performing throughout the altitude range, from hovering at sea level to the attainment of orbital speeds, in such a manner as to include the performance characteristics of a helicopter, a propeller aircraft, a jet airplane, a ramjet and a space vehicle into an integrated system design.
Theoretical investigations based on this premise and supported by an initial experimental program have indicated a possible solution to this objective. The key is contained in the afore- mentioned concept of electro-chemical propulsion, enlarged by the concept of an electric air breathing engine. Efficiency requires that the velocity of the exhaust jet should be matched to the vehicle velocity. At low speeds the jet velocity should be small. As vehicle speed is increased, so also should the jet velocity be increased to maintain high efficiency of energy conversion. However, using small jet velocities for take-off requires a large exhaust mass, as in the case of a helicopter whose rotor causes a large air mass to move with relatively small downwash velocity. At the somewhat higher speeds developed by subsonic aircraft, the rotor of a helicopter is replaced by a propeller which moves a smaller air mass at higher speeds. At the supersonic velocities of a jet airplane, the flow of exhaust mass is still smaller but its velocity is further increased.
With an electric air breathing engine this can be achieved by force field control, capable of moving large air masses at low speeds and smaller air masses at higher velocities. A number of vehicle geometries are suitable for satisfying the requirement of velocity and mass control of the exhaust jet. One such geometry, offering additional design advantages of minimum structural weight, large volume and cargo capacity combined with desirable aerothermodynamic characteristics, is shown in the illustration as a circular disk vehicle. This geometry is also particularly suitable for hovering close to ground, because the annular jet augments very substantially the cushion effect of the air trapped between the vehicle and the ground.
By these principles, the efficiency and the thrust of electric aerospace propulsion can be maintained at high levels throughout the entire velocity and altitude range. After leaving the atmosphere, electric propulsion consists of a combination of intense force fields accelerating colloidal chemical plasma; the heavier elements being
used for high thrust performance and lighter elements for sustained vehicle acceleration.
Research is continuing in the area of generation and control of high electro- magnetic field intensities and colloidal plasma combined with the principle of an electric air breathing engine. Aeroelectric propulsion is expected to be a practicable and valuable method for powering aerospace vehicles.”
At/from the wonderful Internet Archive website:
ia800700.us.archive.org/2/items/ryanreporter231263ryan/ry...
Very nice artwork by Ryan Aeronautical staff artist Matt Giacalone.