By Francesca Ross - 8th May 2009
Prague: European scientists have told a key EU research conference that space travel could be closer than we think.
AnEU-funded research project is planning a rocket engine that uses lowfrequency radio waves over traditional bulky chemical compounds.
TheHPH.com programme, which began 12 years ago, was just one of theEuropean research projects showcased at the Research Connection 2009conference in Prague, co-organised by the European commission and theCzech EU presidency.
The logic behind the idea said projectleader Dr. Daniele Pavarin, in a briefing at the conference, is that weuse the same engine in our cars for both small manoeuvres and longtrips here on Earth, so why don't we apply the same idea to solartravel.
The new system combines two different propulsionsystems in one, taking out the need for one set of thrusters for makingfine adjustments in space craft movements and another for major orbitchanges. Researchers say this will allow A more flexible use ofrockets, and use less fuel.
"The idea is based on a simpleprinciple and could see an increase in our capacity for puttingsatellites in space, said Pavarin, adding that it would help, "increasethe number of activities we can complete when we are there andultimately, fuel long distance space travel."
In a step awayfrom current ideas in the field the HPH engine is electrically ratherthan chemically based, producing energy by creating plasma (a form ofenergised gas) and shooting this from a magnetic nozzle to push thespace craft forward.
Pavarin said that this is a "new kind of space propulsion, a well known technology in North America but not so much in Europe."
Theproject, run from the University of Padua in Italy combines theoreticalinvestigation, technology development and experimental investigationand said Pavarin, is creating "a new and deep insight on physics ofthis kind" by combining theory with experimental practice.
Thetechnology developed has scope beyond just thrusters and could also beused in other applications using plasma, he said, such as theproduction of semiconductors.
Other EU-funded space projectson show included the PRoVisG programme, which is involved in producingcameras that feed back information from space probes and landers.
GerhardPaar from Joanneum Research explained the principle behind cameradevelopment was to "view the surface and calculate something, aplanet's geography, or temperature or the make up of its atmosphere bygenerating tools that can analyse images."
This project has some"unconventional missions planned" he explained, such as aerobots thatcan fly across the surface of planets, asteroids or other spaceobjects.
The research is also expected to lead to a number of valuable spin off technologies.
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