This is a great story and may even have some practical merit. I am more inclined to think that our most effective option once in space will be to harness the prevailing Magnetic field throughout the Solar System using whatever unlimited source of energy we have developed then.
It is also promising that the State of Egypt has found it possible for a talented young girl to advance in terms of science studies and even research. One always hears about the difficulties of the untalented when it will be the availability of talent that makes the future.
In the meantime, this
lady will surely attract support for a full scholarship to a major
western university.
Egyptian Student Invents New Propulsion Method
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
00:00
Aisha Mustafa patented her invention last
February in ASRT.
An Egyptian physics student has successfully
created a new propulsion device that could accelerate space probes
and artificial satellites through quantum physics and chemical
reactions instead of the current radioactive-based jets and ordinary
rocket engines.
Aisha Mustafa, who has entered the active
research area of spacecraft propulsion by her newly invented device,
told the governmental EGYNews agency that she patented her invention
last February in the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and
Technology (ASRT).
Mustafa’s propelling device is based upon a
scientific mix between quantum physics, space technology, chemical
reactions and electrical sciences. Current space probes, artificial
satellites, spacecrafts and space vehicles use rocket gas engines
that depend on forcing a gas to the outside of the vehicle at a
supersonic speed or the chemical reactions rockets which propel by
solid or liquid fuels such as radionuclide or petroleum, or the
electrically-propelled probes which depend on thrusting force via
accelerating ions.
On the contrary, Mustafa’s invention powers
space vehicles by benefiting from the electric energy formed by
Casimir-polder force which occurs between separate surfaces and
objects in a vacuum and by the zero-point energy which is considered
to be the lowest state of energy. Mustafa added that she used
reflective panels for additional force which looks like photovoltaic
solar cells. The invention is related to a hypothetical concept
of a jet propulsion called “Differential Sail”, which was
theoretically created by NASA’s retired professor Marc G. Millis
who led NASA breakthrough propulsion physics project.
In a televised interview with the famous Egyptian
morning programme “Sabah El Kheir Ya Masr” (Good Morning Egypt),
Mustafa, who studies physics in Sohag University, expressed her
appreciation to her faculty and university staff for their efforts in
helping and providing her with the materials and resources needed.
Yet, at the same time she expressed her depression and sadness for
the lack of a space sciences department in the Egyptian universities.
“Departments of astronomy and physics are only
available. Although they are related to space sciences but
unfortunately they aren’t into the specific field of my invention
and they can’t practically test or implement it.”
The 19-year old girl said that lacking of a
department for space sciences prevents further national research in
this important field and acts as an obstacle for her to continue
conducting her studies in this specific area.
According to an Egyptian TV channel, “Egypt
25”, Mustafa’s supervisor, Dr. Ahmed Fikry, who heads the physics
department in Sohag University, has shown great interest in his
student’s invention and helped her patent it in the ASRT. “I
expect this invention to be highly beneficial in several fields and
areas of industries,” he assured.
On his behalf, the President of Sohag University,
Dr. Nabil Nour Eldin Abdellah, said that the university facilitates
what he called “Science Clubs” for intelligent and creative
students who have the will and capabilities to come up with
innovative scientific ideas.
“Once we knew about her (Mustafa’s)
invention, we encouraged her and provided her with the budget needed
through the Science Club for innovative students in the university.
This is the case with any other creative student,” Abdellah
explained.
Future of Space Travel
The scientific field of space vehicles propulsion
is astonishingly rocketing and it gains a wider attention worldwide,
thanks to its vital importance for other sciences like engineering,
astronomy, geology, industry and others. This is in addition to the
vast areas of researches it covers and the high probability of
brainstorming new creations, methods and creative tools.
Events like the retirement of NASA’s vehicle of
space shuttle programme and the need for new methods for space travel
at a faster, safer, cheaper and easier means pushes forwards
conducting more and more researches in the field of space vehicles
propulsion.
Currently, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of
ideas for innovative propulsion systems which are either presently in
use or in progress, or which are still eras or even a millennium-far
away from our modern technologies.
One of these methods for interplanetary and
interstellar travels is the “solar sail” which depends on stellar
radiation pressure or laser upon ultra-thin mirrors which work like
ship sails. Other accelerating methods make use of the fourth state
of matter, “plasma” by thrusting and pulsing.
Some other ideas of innovation include “space
elevators”, “space launch loops”, “space fountains”,
“electromagnetic catapults”, “space chemical guns”, in
addition to numerous hypothetical and theoretically-possible methods
which need practical confirmations.
Mustafa nowadays aims at testing her invention at
major scientific research organisations, hence the possibility of
applying it in upcoming space missions.
In the next coming decades, space travel would be
easier, safer, faster and cheaper, thanks to the mind of an Egyptian
girl.
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