Enzmann starship
Encyclopedia
The Enzmann starship is a concept for a manned interstellar spacecraft proposed in 1964 by Robert Enzmannn. A 1973 iteration, projected using a 12,000,000 ton
(11,000,000 tonne
s) ball of frozen deuterium
to power thermonuclear powered pulse propulsion units, similar to Project Orion
engines. The spaceship would have been assembled in-orbit and was part of a larger project preceded by interstellar probe
s and telescopic observation of target star systems. It was described as not quite as long as twice the height of the 449 m (1,473.1 ft) Empire State Building and shown to be 2000 feet (609.6 m) long in a drawing.
Most of the spacecraft was attached behind the frozen deuterium
(hydrogen isotope) ball, sealed in a seamless metallic tank. The proposed method of construction for this large seamless metal tank, was to expand a plastic balloon in space then coat it with metal.
The spaceship was modular, and the main living area was three identical 300 feet (91.4 m) wide and long cylindrical modules. The projected speed was perhaps 30% of the speed of light
c. At these projected speeds relativistic effects between the people on Earth and on the starship, such as time dilation
, would become more significant as predicted by special relativity
. The Enzmann could function as an interstellar ark
, supporting a crew of 200 but also with extra space for expansion. The design formed a basis of a family of related spacecraft. The Enzmann starship was detailed in the October 1973 issue of Analog
.
Short ton
The short ton is a unit of mass equal to . In the United States it is often called simply ton without distinguishing it from the metric ton or the long ton ; rather, the other two are specifically noted. There are, however, some U.S...
(11,000,000 tonne
Tonne
The tonne, known as the metric ton in the US , often put pleonastically as "metric tonne" to avoid confusion with ton, is a metric system unit of mass equal to 1000 kilograms. The tonne is not an International System of Units unit, but is accepted for use with the SI...
s) ball of frozen deuterium
Deuterium
Deuterium, also called heavy hydrogen, is one of two stable isotopes of hydrogen. It has a natural abundance in Earth's oceans of about one atom in of hydrogen . Deuterium accounts for approximately 0.0156% of all naturally occurring hydrogen in Earth's oceans, while the most common isotope ...
to power thermonuclear powered pulse propulsion units, similar to Project Orion
Project Orion
Project Orion may refer to:*Project Orion was an engineering design study of spacecraft powered by nuclear pulse propulsion...
engines. The spaceship would have been assembled in-orbit and was part of a larger project preceded by interstellar probe
Interstellar probe
An interstellar probe is a space probe that has left—or is expected to leave—the Solar System and enter interstellar space, typically defined as the region beyond the heliopause...
s and telescopic observation of target star systems. It was described as not quite as long as twice the height of the 449 m (1,473.1 ft) Empire State Building and shown to be 2000 feet (609.6 m) long in a drawing.
Most of the spacecraft was attached behind the frozen deuterium
Deuterium
Deuterium, also called heavy hydrogen, is one of two stable isotopes of hydrogen. It has a natural abundance in Earth's oceans of about one atom in of hydrogen . Deuterium accounts for approximately 0.0156% of all naturally occurring hydrogen in Earth's oceans, while the most common isotope ...
(hydrogen isotope) ball, sealed in a seamless metallic tank. The proposed method of construction for this large seamless metal tank, was to expand a plastic balloon in space then coat it with metal.
The spaceship was modular, and the main living area was three identical 300 feet (91.4 m) wide and long cylindrical modules. The projected speed was perhaps 30% of the speed of light
Speed of light
The speed of light in vacuum, usually denoted by c, is a physical constant important in many areas of physics. Its value is 299,792,458 metres per second, a figure that is exact since the length of the metre is defined from this constant and the international standard for time...
c. At these projected speeds relativistic effects between the people on Earth and on the starship, such as time dilation
Time dilation
In the theory of relativity, time dilation is an observed difference of elapsed time between two events as measured by observers either moving relative to each other or differently situated from gravitational masses. An accurate clock at rest with respect to one observer may be measured to tick at...
, would become more significant as predicted by special relativity
Special relativity
Special relativity is the physical theory of measurement in an inertial frame of reference proposed in 1905 by Albert Einstein in the paper "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies".It generalizes Galileo's...
. The Enzmann could function as an interstellar ark
Interstellar ark
An interstellar ark is a conceptual space vehicle that some have speculated could be used for interstellar travel. The concept was first developed by Dr...
, supporting a crew of 200 but also with extra space for expansion. The design formed a basis of a family of related spacecraft. The Enzmann starship was detailed in the October 1973 issue of Analog
Analog Science Fiction and Fact
Analog Science Fiction and Fact is an American science fiction magazine. As of 2011, it is the longest running continuously published magazine of that genre...
.
See also
- Interstellar travelInterstellar travelInterstellar space travel is manned or unmanned travel between stars. The concept of interstellar travel in starships is a staple of science fiction. Interstellar travel is much more difficult than interplanetary travel. Intergalactic travel, or travel between different galaxies, is even more...
- EnzmannEnzmannThe Enzmann 506 was a Swiss automobile manufactured from 1957 until the late 1960s . The company purchased new Volkswagens, unbolted the Beetle body shells from the floorpans, and refitted them with elegant fiberglass bodywork produced by a boatyard in Grandson...
, also the name of Swiss car maker from the 1950-1960s