/sci/ - Science & Math

This was posted in another /sci/ thread but it deserves its own recognition.

http://www.niac.usra.edu/files/studies/final_report/1071Bickford.pdf

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14405122

http://arxiv.org/abs/1107.4882

>The magnetosphere of the Earth, or a miniature version created via artificial means around a
satellite in orbit, could efficiently hold antiprotons that are generated artificially by a particle
accelerator placed in orbit. Production in the space environment offers an intrinsic advantage for
space exploration since the particles are generated and stored in orbit, therefore mitigating the need
to transport them from the ground in bulky and heavy traps. A generator system placed in orbit will
be far more efficient at collecting the antiparticles since the natural radiation trap will capture a wide
angular distribution and energy range with minimal complexity. In a departure from convention, the
large storage volumes enable the generator to be placed within the trap. This is a very efficient way
to trap nearly all of the generated antiprotons. A 100 kWe generator would produce approximately
10 micrograms per year. Scaling this to a 1 GWe power source would enable nearly 100 milligrams
of antiprotons to be produced per year. This level of antiproton generation is sufficient to enable the
first interstellar missions to nearby stars.