A spaceship powered by something other tan chemical fuel, might be invented. This could become true as the use of Antimatter as fuel has been contemplated. Antimatter is a type of matter similar to the ordinary matter, with similar weight and other characteristics, although with opposite charge. The energy provided by this type of particles exceeds the one produced by chemical fuel and the quantity needed to power a spaceship is in the milligrams instead of tons
Antimatter
This is a type of matter composed of antiparticles, having the same mass as ordinary matter, although with opposite charge.
Electrons have a negative charge; their corresponding antiparticles have a positive charge and are dubbed Positrons. The collisions between particles and antiparticles cause the annihilation of both particles, resulting in the production of intense gamma rays, neutrinos and less intense particle antiparticle pairs. The total energy produce by this process is equal to E=mc2.
Dangers of using antimatter
Interactions of antiparticles produce high energy gamma rays, which can penetrate matter, just like x-rays do, and break apart cell molecules. This effect could harm people on board a spaceship. High energetic gamma rays may also turn matter, such as the spaceship´s engine, radioactive by the fragmentation of atoms.
When antimatter interacts with matter, both annihilate producing energy. This total conversion of the particle pair into energy is the reason antimatter is considered as a very powerful source of energy.
Positron reactor
The design of a reactor powering a spaceship would include a positron storage unit and conduit: an attenuating matrix; an exhaust system and other small conduits for the H2.
The positrons, which are stored in the storage, are directed into the attenuating matrix, where they react with the matter, releasing heat. Liquid hydrogen gets into the attenuating matrix and gathers the heat, flowing out through the nozzle and ejects into space, producing thrust.
Antiprotons, which are a type of antimatter whose counterpart is the proton, are known to produce high energy gamma rays during annihilation.
When considering new designs, scientists will use positrons-the antimatter of electrons, which produce gamma rays 400 times less energetic. It´s believed that a positron powered spaceship, when designed, could allow a manned mission to Mars to achieve success. This would be a good endeavor for Mars´ exploration.
