Antimatter in Space Travel?

Question

I have an Idea Antimatter is an unstable material but if harnessed it could be used for space exploration. I think if we could create a controled reaction of antimatter and matter (yes like in Star Trek) and somehow transfer that kenitic energy into electricty wich then would be sent to powercells into an engine we could dramaticly cut the travel time in space from Hundreds of years into months, days and weeks. THe only problem is that Antimatter is not found on earth One milligram is worth #300 Billion Dollars. Also if we brought it to Earth it would have to be contained so secruely because if it isnt the violent reaction when the antimatter hit matter it would destroy Earth.

Answer 1

Thanks. I'll put this on my list of things to do.

Answer 2

the way it has always been explained to me is that no matter where your energy source is E=Mc2 will always stop you right before you hit the speed of light ... Best thing I have heard thus far for long distance space travel is worm holes or some kind of gravity drive ....kinda bend the nothing can travel faster than light rule....
But thats not what you were asking about ...Antimatter as you can tell form the other answers is very very hard to collect
in any worth while amount and if so it be very deadly to keep around.. Simply put it is an unrealistic fuel source at this time... For more ideas on a good power source try fusion or even fission ... An idea been around since the splitting of the atom, using small nuclear detentions inside a closed chamber with a rocket nozzle type opening at one end.... Something like this would offer great deal of thrust enough that exploring our own solar system would be doable in a lifetime .....

Answer 3

The controlled reaction would be difficult to maintain and, most likely, would quickly slip out of control. It would be comparable to the "tickling of the tiger's tail" that tech at Los Alamos used to do--see how close they could put very small bits of the elements of an A-Bomb together before a reaction occurred. However, we are learning all the time and what is difficult now may not be so in a few years.

The biggest hurdle would be Einstein since his theory states that only infinite energy will allow something to travel at C. I always have wondered if that is true?

The "somehow" that you mention is the area that dreamers work on until they discover something that others overlooked. Perhaps some day someone will discover the answer.

Answer 4

Yes, it would work but our meathod of obtaining/producing it would have to be drasicly revolutinazed! Remember, when aluminium was introduced in the early 1800's it was far to expansive to have anypractical purpose (more valuable than gold) but now we make soda cans out of it! Perhaps the same can go for antimatter!

But the fact that a half gram of it could destroy Idaho, and a few hundred could easialy destroy the planet, I doubt it will ever be used!
I'm not sure anyone will be willing to risk that, when other (if slower!) meathods could be used!
What would really suck is if someone was able to build an antimatter bomb, then we'd all vaporized for sure!

Answer 5

Okay. You seem to speak with a certain deal of authority on the subject, so I assume you know what you are talking about.

I have this idea about Anti-Matter... Gosh this is so simple...

+1 added to -1 = ZERO

so one unit of Anti- Matter added to However Much Real Matter = one unit less of Real Matter in an eye blink, with all the rest of the Real Matter left over, and no waste. OOPS,
I didn't see anything moving out there... no exhaust gases emitted, no propulsive forces given off, just poof...one unit less of Real Matter.

Also, while on the subject...Given that you have some Anti Matter (And that should make you fairly rich, at today's prices), what, may I ask, are you storing it in? By any chance did you goof up and place it in a sealed container made of Real Matter? In case you did, might I suggest that you check out that container again...cause I think that you missed the little "POOF." The Anti-Matter and the Real Matter of your container just equalized out to an Empty Container with a teeny little bit of container gone missing...

I hate to grin, but, ummm-m, what kinetic energy, exactly, did you wish to convert to electrical energy? That phrase, what was it??? Oh yes, "Somehow transfer"...That device has got to be really neat. Does it use Anti-Matter Pills? Or, is it the newer model that uses Anti-Matter Rods, like those rod things in a Nuclear Power Plant Reactor??? I guess Exxon will soon have Anti-Matter Fuel Pumps which dispense the stuff in liquid form also... New things are coming along so fast I just have a hard time keeping up with them.

Answer 6

You problem and the same problem it had on Star Trek is that you can only go as fast as your thrust impulse. The only way to go around this to use an outside source to power your ship; that will get you away from E=MC^2 as you are no longer carrying your energy supply. Even the best ion drive will still only get you to .98C. Now then think of what material is found across space, that has energy, and can be increase through a mechanical means.

Answer 7

There are many problems with this theory. #1 problem: 1 gram of antimatter + 1 gram of matter = same explosion power of a 100 megaton hydrogen bomb. Anything goes wrong on the ship, even the slightest flaw, and instant fireworks. #2: The antimatter would have to be suspended in a vacuum chamber with electromagnets, and you would not be able to harness any power without destroying your ship (E=mc2, energy=matter). Plus, with costs, risks, and odds calculated, it would be throwing money down an exotensially huge hole.

Answer 8

1) You'll still be limited by the speed of light, so you can cut down on acceleration time, but not much on actual flight time, as even at the speed of light, stars are years apart.

2) Currently, anti-matter is created (at the CERN in Europe I believe), but it is hard to contain and unstable. Also, I'm pretty sure that the amount of energy that goes into making it is greater than what comes out when it reacts with matter.

Answer 9

The primary product of the most abundant anti-matter (anti-particle) we know of is gamma rays (two of them) which are basically harmful radiation. There is probably some heat and photonic action also associated with it.

It's not a very useful energy source until we learn to do something with gamma radiation.

Answer 10

If its Star Trek you like then perhaps you should consider building a warp drive,i think this is a more practical option for long distance space travel.