Envisioning future technology for a sci-fi series is easy -- just assume anything is possible, then show it. Well, we've tried to take a slightly different approach with "317".
Yes, "317" takes place in the not-too-distant future. Probably about 200 or
so years from now. When I think back to all the predictions made at past
World's Fairs and numerous scientific expositions, it's amazing how much
of what was forecast either hasn't come to pass or if it has, looks or
functions completely differently than was originally predicted.
As a result, we've tried to envision "317" based on what would happen if today's technology were taken through several stages of advancement.
We've also tried to cradle the physical elements of the series in some
sort of logic. For example, a feature common in most sci-fi spacecraft
is an access door which opens or closes with the push of a button. To
do this not only takes a tremendous amount of energy, it also exercises
a system which will eventually need potentially complex maintenance.
Onboard the "317" spacecraft are no such luxuries. Indeed, even doors
separating the main spaces must be hand cranked open or closed. Why do
this? Well, nearly all of the energy produced by the craft is put into
moving the craft toward its destination and keeping its cargo alive.
There is a secondary reason. The developers of the project realized
that the arrival of each group at its assigned destination could not be
predicted with pinpoint accuracy. As a result, anywhere from days, to
weeks, to even years might pass after each group has been awakened from
hypersleep. Of course in the case of
"317", a problem caused the crew to be awakened a whopping 75 years too
soon! Knowing this possibility existed, the designers also knew that
the crew must have things to occupy their time. After all, there's
nowhere for them to go. So even the mundane task of washing dishes was
not automated.
But we haven't neglected technological advances altogether. One example is the system which handles fluids:
MAGNETIC FLUID IMPULSE PUMP
fig. 1
The "317" spacecraft is a closed system. There is no way for additional resources to either be created or enter the craft from the outside. And anything lost to the outside is lost forever. So water, a very necessary substance for the crew, is recycled from every possible source. These sources include waste water, perspiration, and moisture contained in exhaled breath. (Moisture is reintroduced into the craft's atmosphere to maintain a survivable humidity level for the crew.) All pumps which move the fluids throughout the craft have no moving parts. Instead, they work in concert with a special additive. This additive is nanomagnets, or submicroscopic magnetic ceramic material, which has been introduced into the system. The particles are nontoxic and easily exist in and pass through human bodies. They are designed to be inert while resembling minerals normally found in humans. Fluid is moved through all the pipes and filtration machinery magnetically. Very much like the rail gun which launched the spacecraft, each pump consists of several magnetic coils and internal chambers which are specially shaped. (see fig. 1)
Moving the fluids requires the electronically coordinated efforts of many pumps -- much like how blood is moved through the human body. As the coils are pulsed, the nanomagnets in the fluid are drawn through each pump. Friction between the nanomagnetic particles and the fluid causes the fluid to move as well.
GENERAL USE OF MAGNETIC ENERGY|LAUNCH SEQUENCE
fig. 2
Energy derived from magnets is used throughout the spacecraft. As with all of its predecessors, the "317" craft was launched from a 15-mile-long rail gun parked in lunar orbit.
The spacecraft consists of two fundamental parts (see fig. 2 & fig. 3):
- A central core, which contains the reactor and the ion-beam thrust engine
- An outer ring pair, which houses the flight crew and everything needed to keep them alive
To give you a sense of the spacecraft's scale, the
outer ring pair is one nautical mile in circumference.
The spacecraft was assembled on the rail gun with
the core at its center and the outer ring pair
surrounding the exterior of the rail gun.
fig.3
Sixty (60) magnets on the inner ring of the living spaces and on the exterior of the central core were used in conjunction with a matched set of electromagnets on the rail gun. The rail gun's magnets were pulsed in such a manner as to draw both the core and the outer rings along its surface. Additionally, the magnets on the exterior of the rail gun were slightly offset, thus imparting a rotation to the outer ring pair (living spaces). At the end of the spacecraft's 15-mile launch acceleration, the craft was traveling at one mile per second. The outer rings were also revolving at 1.753 rpm. This rotation provides a constant gravity of 1G in the living spaces. (see fig. 3)
The maximum acceleration experienced by the flight crew during the launch sequence was 6G.
Click here to watch a movie of the spacecraft in motion.
POST LAUNCH
Both parts of the spacecraft (core and outer ring pair) travel together, though they are not physically attached. The magnets on the inner surface of the outer ring pair now perform multiple functions:
- They act in concert with the magnets on the surface of the central core to transfer electrical power to the outer ring pair via magnetic induction.
- Heat generated in this process is radiated into the living spaces and provides a habitable temperature for the flight crew.
- The magnetic field created between the central core and the outer ring pair serves as a sort of "fly catcher" for particles and even larger objects (up to 15 kg) by drawing them away from the outer ring pair, then thrusting them aft as the spacecraft moves forward.
- The magnetic field between the core and the outer ring pair also deflects nuclear radiation from the reactor in the core, thus adding to their safety.
ACCELERATION
After its initial boost (one mile per second) from the rail gun, the spacecraft coasts toward its destination. After approximately five (5) days, the craft is roughly 400,000 nautical miles from the Earth-Moon environment. At that time, if telemetry confirms all systems are functioning properly, the ion-beam engine is brought online. It takes approximately fifteen (15) hours for the engine to come up to temperature. Once it does, particles begin flowing, relatively slowly at first, until critical flow (ĵ/1.332) is reached.
At that exact moment, the ion beam fires like a galactic 'light saber' and the spacecraft's ten-year-long acceleration begins. The 400,000 mile distance is a safety measure because the ion beam is essentially deadly if it strikes anything.
UNTESTED VELOCITIES
No humans have ever traveled at the final cruising speed of these spacecraft. After ten (10) years of constant acceleration, the ion-beam engine shuts down and the craft coasts at approximatley 110,000 nautical miles per second. In addition, the linear speed of the rotating outer ring pair is over 100 nautical miles per hour. But to the flight crew, there is no sense of motion whatsoever.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/time/think.html
SELF-POWERED ELECTRO MAGNETS
fig. 4
Ringing the inward-facing side of the outer ring pair (living spaces) are sixty (60) large electro magnets. (see fig. 4) Each is powered by a turbo generator which in turn is powered by a tiny nuclear reactor. The reactors represent state-of-the-art small reactor technology. Technically, each reactor contains a too small mass of fissionable material -- not nearly enough to sustain a chain reaction. So each mini-reactor is designed with a harmonic neutron feedback amplifier which creates a meta-mass state ten (10) times the actual mass of the fissionable material. The turbo generators employ a single rotating shaft with magnetic bearings -- there is no actual physical contact between surfaces.
Each magnet vents waste heat into the living spaces below it. Any extra heat is radiated into space. All sixty (60) magnets work as a single unit to provide electricity to the living and machinery spaces.
fig. 1
Moving the fluids requires the electronically coordinated efforts of many pumps -- much like how blood is moved through the human body. As the coils are pulsed, the nanomagnets in the fluid are drawn through each pump. Friction between the nanomagnetic particles and the fluid causes the fluid to move as well.
fig. 2
- A central core, which contains the reactor and the ion-beam thrust engine
- An outer ring pair, which houses the flight crew and everything needed to keep them alive
outer ring pair is one nautical mile in circumference.
The spacecraft was assembled on the rail gun with
the core at its center and the outer ring pair
surrounding the exterior of the rail gun.
fig.3
The maximum acceleration experienced by the flight crew during the launch sequence was 6G.
Click here to watch a movie of the spacecraft in motion.
- They act in concert with the magnets on the surface of the central core to transfer electrical power to the outer ring pair via magnetic induction.
- Heat generated in this process is radiated into the living spaces and provides a habitable temperature for the flight crew.
- The magnetic field created between the central core and the outer ring pair serves as a sort of "fly catcher" for particles and even larger objects (up to 15 kg) by drawing them away from the outer ring pair, then thrusting them aft as the spacecraft moves forward.
- The magnetic field between the core and the outer ring pair also deflects nuclear radiation from the reactor in the core, thus adding to their safety.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/time/think.html
fig. 4
Each magnet vents waste heat into the living spaces below it. Any extra heat is radiated into space. All sixty (60) magnets work as a single unit to provide electricity to the living and machinery spaces.
