Spacecrafts of the future could be propelled by in-space engines that require zero fuel, if one engineer’s proposal comes to fruition.
David Burns , an engineer based at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Centre in Alabama, has unveiled what he calls a ‘helical engine’.
The ambitious device violates a basic law of physics – that for every action, there’s a reaction – but this hasn’t put Burns off the idea.
Speaking to New Scientist , he said: “I’m comfortable with throwing it out there.
“If someone says it doesn’t work, I’ll be the first to say it was worth a shot.”
In its most basic form, the helical engine features a ring inside a box that’s sprung in one direction, with the box recoiling in the opposite direction.
When the ring reaches the end of the box, it bounces backwards, and the box’s recoil direction switches too.
While this would usually result in the box wiggling back and forth, if the box and ring were travelling at the speed of light, as the ring approaches the front end of the box it would increase in mass because it’s going faster than when it was going backwards.
In practice, the helical engine would use a particle accelerator and ion particles, but the basic principal is the same.
In his study, published in in NASA Technical Reports Server , Burns explained: “Chemical, nuclear and electric propulsion systems produce thrust by accelerating and expelling propellants.
“Deep space travel is often a trade-off between thrust and large propellant storage tanks that eventually limit performance.
“The objective of this paper is to introduce and examine a unique engine that uses a closed-cycle propellant.”
Burns’ calculations predict that the helical engine could produce a forwards thrust up to 99 per cent the speed of light without breaking Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.
However, as it stands, the engine would need to be 200 metres long and 12 metres wide to work, meaning it’s not exactly practical for space travel.
Despite this, he still believes that his research could one day lead to a viable engine.
He added: “You have to be prepared to be embarrassed. It is very difficult to invent something that is new under the sun and actually works.”
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Kind man offers to help single fathers with Christmas goodies for kids ▷ Kenya News
– A man has offered to help single dads around Durban, South Africa this Christmas
– Sihle Mazibuko posted on his twitter handle asking fathers who were unable to buy their children gifts to DM him
– Sihle said his aim was to put a smile on these children’s face
A man has become an online sensation after he reached out to single fathers who couldn’t afford to buy Christmas gifts for their children and offered to pay for them himself.
Sihle Mazibuko had earlier posted on his tweeter handle calling out single dads who were low on cash but wanted to spoil their kids so as to put a smile on their faces.
His tweet went viral with the majority of the users praising him for his kind act.
Twitter user Tsholo94 said:
“This is so sweet!”
“Act of kindness, may God bless you”
“You are so kind. God bless you”
“You will be blessed hundred fold for your good deeds!”
“Good South Africa needs people like you”
In Kenya, Nyali MP Mohammed Ali alias Moha Jicho Pevu kicked off the Christmas mood with gifts for police officers in his constituency.
The outspoken politician took to his social media where he shared photos gifting the officers with the animals as well as KSh 100,000 in appreciation for their dedication to service delivery.
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AfDB Commits €345 Million to Kenya and Tanzania
Kenya and Tanzania will benefit from African Development Bank (AfDB) €345 million financing package for road construction support representing 78.5% of the total €399.7 million project cost.
Furthermore, AfDB says that the projects will touch over three million citizens in Tanzania and Kenya.
In Kenya, the bank supports Mombasa-Lunga Lunga/Horohoro road with the European Union (EU) contributing a grant of €30 million, 7.7% of the total project cost to GoK.
On the other hand, the funds will fund phase I of the Tanga-Pangani-Bagamoyo road in Tanzania.
This first phase involves the construction of 175 km of road sections: the 121 km Mkanga-Pangani road section in Tanzania and the 54 km Mombasa-Kilifi road section in Kenya.
Furthermore, the project will also link the ports of Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Mombasa, and stimulate the blue economy in coastal areas.
East African transport corridors network, connecting Kenya and Tanzania will benefit producers, manufacturers and traders, farmers and fishermen with improved access to local and regional markets.
Moreover, there are spillover benefits for landlocked countries Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and South Sudan that depend on Mombasa as gateway to global markets.
The road crosses regions with high rates of youth unemployment. In light of this, the project includes a vocational training component for 500 unemployed youth (half of them women) to acquire marketable skill and improve their economic prospects.
Garissa 50 MW Solar Plant Connected to National Grid –
The President presided over the commissioning of the Garissa 50 MW Solar farm constructed at a cost of KSh13 billion.
According to Xinhua, China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Co-operation (CJIC) designed and built the plant in conjunction with the Kenya Rural Electrification Authority (REA).
The solar farm is the largest in East and Central Africa placing Kenya as a leader in renewable energy.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Kenyatta said that the solar farm indicates broader strategy to harness 400MW from the vast solar resource.
Moreover, President Uhuru opines that Garissa town and its environs will have a stable power connection.
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