Wednesday 13 April 2011

To Mars, Use Water Fueled Aircraft

 Illustration of the concept of water-fueled aircraft equipped with solar cells  
for space exploration in the future.
 
Travel into space, including Mars, will probably be much cheaper. The reason, scientists are now developing water-fueled plane. With a plane, go home fare to Mars could cost as cheap as the launch of a single plane.


The idea is to maintain this water-fueled aircraft remain in low-earth orbit. In this way, the benefits to be gained greater. This method can reduce the need for expensive it takes to launch a mission from Earth.

Currently, the plane was still in draft. However, scientists believe could come true soon. Brian McConnell, technopreneur  and software engineer, said, "It's really the challenge of system integration. Fundamental technology is actually ready."

The basic concept aircraft was centered on the water and driven by the water. Electro thermal solar-powered engine will heat the water until its temperature is very high and transformed into steam. Finally, the steam released will form the thrust that helps lift the aircraft.

McDonnell said the engines used in aircraft electro thermal this efficient and suitable for long-term travel with low thrust. To serve the additional speed quickly, a chemical rocket could be added.

The interior of the aircraft consist of modules interconnected habitats. The module can be developed at any time and are made of factory production. The water also contained a single package along the habitat module so that it can function as a protective radiation.

Aircraft fuel cheaper water because of several factors. First is the use elektrotermal machine. Secondly, the use of water as a fuel to make almost all parts of the aircraft recyclable. Water used as a protective radiation can also be used as fuel.

"All can reduce costs by 30 times smaller or more," said McDonnell. The journey to Phobos, moon of Mars for instance, can only by 1 billion U.S. dollars. The trip will also be convenient because the aircraft could carry a number of IAR that can be used to grow food crops and hot shower.

When the aircraft requires additional fuel, the filling can be done in low earth orbit. Section planes can also be replaced or is upgraded from orbit. McDonnell also said, in the future of water as fuel can also be obtained from asteroids and the moon of Mars.

The concept is promoted McDonnel published in the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society. One of the outstanding public relations to develop this plane is elektrotermal engine design. According to McDonnell, the efforts to accelerate the settlement can be done by holding a competition.

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