Universal Candle

Phase 2 Individual Project

William G Ellis ENG111-1001A-31 1/16/2010

William G Ellis, Universal Candle

Somewhere in the dark recesses of the universe, there resides a civilization awaiting the arrival of the newest members in the advancement of deep space travel. Pursuit of the knowledge required to accomplish this magnanimous feat is dependent on more than just scientific ingenuity. It may also rely on some outside intervention or just outside the box exploration. Is it possible this aptitude has been realized and is being exposed in some episode of a science-fiction television series and in that way, being slowly revealed to the public to alleviate sporadic chaos? Do you remember the flip style communicator in which Captain Kirk would call for Scotty to beam him up? Compare this device to your standard cellular telephone of the past few years. Consider IBMs current involvement in the development of Isaac Asimovs positronic brain he wrote of in I, Robert or Sonys creation of the glass data tiles utilized in the film Minority Report. It seems the concept of sci-fi paraphernalia may not only be a possibility but a probability. Can we also make the connection between this concept and the possibility of reaching the stars? Does this overwhelming sci-fi influence apply to deep space fuels? Perhaps we can explore the potential. To understand the development of fuels for deep space travel you must first understand the history and current application of existing technologies. We must go where others have gone before. To appreciate the complexity of this topic one would need an exposure to historic events shaping the development of rockets and rocket fuel. Let us take a little walk through time to a faraway land sometime around the beginning of the 11th century. We are participating in a ceremony at a small village in the Neimongol province of China when someone tosses a handful of bamboo into the fire. Contained in the small bamboo tubes is a mixture of 10% sulphur (S), 75% potassium nitrate (KNO3), and 15% carbon (C) from charcoal and possibly a dab of honey, for consistency (Swale 2005). Suddenly explosions erupt from the blaze and one of the bamboo

William G Ellis, Universal Candle

tubes spews flame from a weakly sealed tip. This particular tube hurls itself in your direction, bursting just short of you. Debris from the bamboo showers you in surprise and confusion. If only we could harness this power, we could conquer the world! The lights fade and you find yourself atop the Great Wall of China with a mass of Mongolians advancing on your section. From behind the wall, a large thundering object roars toward the hoard, ejecting fire and smoke in its path. Upon reaching the ground this object explodes and deploys devastation for a 1200foot radius. This was one large dangerous bottle rocket! Throughout the next few centuries, you find yourself launching similar rockets from Mongolian front lines into Arabian defenses, receiving blasts from missiles launched toward you from Indian outposts, launching rockets toward Napoleons fleet to set fire to the rigging, and celebrating ceremonial events on the European coast. All derived from the discovery of Gunpowder by the Chinese sometime around 850 A.D. (Swale 2005). The introduction of the Chinese black powder into military operations has since spread from its introduction as a defense against the Mongolians to wide spread use in all civilizations. Years later, in a more current time line, we find ourselves in the European countryside launching a BAZOOKA toward a Panzer tank during Pattons advancement. Darkness engulfs us, sweeping us to another era, the end of World War II. We are among a group of German engineers and scientists working our way to the Americans front line in order to escape sure death by the Nazi regime. We are in the company of Wernher von Braun, a leader in the development of the first successful long range ballistic missile. We have witnessed history associated with von Braun and others, such as, the early American rocket pioneer, Robert Goodard, and Russian schoolteacher, Konstantin Tslolkovsky, in the development of early rockets and rocket fuels. In a flash, we are standing at a 1961 press conference. President

William G Ellis, Universal Candle

Kennedy is addressing the nation; making a commitment to be the first men to reach the moon. From our unique observational position, change becomes a nauseating blur. Unlike the earlier years, time between developments are now mere moments. Hastily, we shift from one event to another, witnessing super fast advances in fuels. The changes range from single stage solid fuels to multi-stage rockets with various types of fuels, each fuel having a particular value depending on the application. Facing you is a mind-altering realization. Set aside the fact that devices of war are being constructed using current technologies; there is a commitment for a higher purpose. Humanity is reaching for the stars. Is it possible to continue using the current design fuels for this purpose? Considering the violent substances presently used for fuel combined with the vacuum of space, we do not believe so. Those utilizing liquid propellants, normally gasoline, would soon switch to ethyl alcohol or refined kerosene. Because of their volatile nature, other options have to be developed. This leads to hypergolic fuels that ignite spontaneously when mixed with an oxidizer. U.S. Rocket Engineers are even overcoming the dangers of handling liquid hydrogen to utilize it as an extremely efficient fuel. In other applications, we see combination within the hybrid rockets that utilize a solid propellant with a liquid oxidizer. This combines the easy handling of a solid with the regulated burn of a liquid. This amalgamation fulfilled our commitment to reach the moon and to work in space. However, we remain limited to our universal neighborhood. To overcome our limitations for leaving our small corner of the universe, we will require lighter more stable fuels that take much less space and produce more effective results. With our current fuels, we have managed to reach short-term goals, but not deep space. In our opinion, we are unsuccessful. If, as we are looking through our time portal, we could see into the future (without censor, of course) we may see the timeline for fuel development progress through

William G Ellis, Universal Candle

impressive stages. One developmental fuel, ALICE (aluminum ice), may prove to be the next launch propellant of our time. The fuel is a combination of nano-aluminum and ice, which produces an environmentally friendly solid fuel. We may also see a blend of pure oxygen and paraffin waxes evolve into a very powerful fuel. We have been burning wax for centuries without the realization of its combustible qualities. In its standard configuration, we use it to brighten our lives. Imagine being able to produce tons of thrust with the same article huddled around when the lights go out. This is where the bulb illuminates with out of the box ideas for new fuel types. For years, we utilize nuclear fuel sources in our electricity generation and propulsion for large military craft. However, we have not applied this concept to propel humankind in space travel. This is not to say we have not utilized nuclear reactions in our efforts to conquer space. For many years, we have placed Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) in US space vehicles as the main power source. Since 1961, we have placed RTGs into spacecraft, satellites, and navigational beacons where the high decay of plutonium-238 (238PU) could provide heat or electricity, especially where solar power was not feasible (Ian Hore-Lacy, 2009). We have existing technology for fission systems generating heat and a proven means of propulsion. However, we have not deployed a long-range, deep-space nuclear propulsion system that will take us to distant stars. Perhaps we take another route. There may be a distinct launch fuel for putting items into orbit and utilization of the High Power Electric Propulsion (HiPEP) Ion drive (tested in 2003 under NASAs Project Prometheus) (Ian Hore-Lacy, 2009) for navigation in the depths of space. From our lofty advantage, we may see thoughts of the next deep space, high yield fuel. Maybe even the discovery of dilithium crystals and plasma conduits for the production of warp speeds. When Gene Rodenberry wrote and produced Star Trek in the early 60s, Im not sure his

William G Ellis, Universal Candle

intentions were to influence generations to develop products for the betterment of civilization. Since its maiden voyage, the ship and crew have displayed items in almost every aspect of space exploration. Perhaps the development of these and many more ideas has already taken place and are slowly being exposed through sci-fi films and television in order to promote the possibility of that fantastic voyage. I, for one, am perched on the edge of my seat with expectations of magnificent adventures when we too can engage our very own warp drive and go where no one has gone before (Abrams, 2009).

William G Ellis, Universal Candle

Works Cited Abrams, J. (Director). (2009). Star Trek [Motion Picture]. Andrews, S. (2009, Dec 16). Sci-Fi to Reality: 4 technologies "invented" by sci-fi authors. Retrieved Jan 17, 2010, from PC Authority: http://www.pcauthority.com.au Bharat. (2009, Nov 4). Aluminum and Ice Combo, Next Green Fuel for Space Travel. Retrieved Jan 9, 2010, from GizmoWatch: http://www.gizmowatch.com Groundwork Medway Swale. (2005, Apr 7). Gunpowder Ingredients. Retrieved Jan 12, 2010, from Gunpowder Works: http://www.gunpowderworks.co.uk Hamilton, C. J. (1997-2001). A Brief History of Rocketry. Retrieved Jan 9, 2010, from Solarviews.com: http://www.solarviews.com Ian Hore-Lacy. (2009, Dec 11). Nuclear Reactors for Space. Retrieved Jan 9, 2010, from eoearth.org: http://www.eoearth.org Rocket. (n.d.). Retrieved Jan 9, 2010, from History.com: http://www.history.com