On Plasma Propulsion

It turns out that the plasma cannon we were envisioning at our last meeting is pretty similar to a VASIMIR engine - notice the use of radio waves (similar to microwaves) to excite the plasma:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_specific_impulse_magnetoplasma_rocket

General definition of plasma propulsion engine:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_propulsion_engine

Also, here are is an excellent paper on plasma propulsion - it has some other interesting ideas like using the magnetosphere for propulsion, and creating a mini-magnetosphere on spacecraft to protect from radiatio/cosmic rays, etc:
http://www.electrofluidsystems.com/news/DGLR-2003-257.pdf

And then there's this recent story that's been going around, which Travis pointed out: http://www.livescience.com/technology/080612-plasma-saucer.html

Also, here is an interesting site about using LTA (Lighter Than Air) technology to get to orbit, using a three step approach - A robust V-shaped wing craft to get to a floating station at 140k ft, where a lighter and more delicate (and streamlined) V-shaped wing craft with ion engines to slowly get to orbit in 5 days. It's a little hard to glean too much from their website, I had to buy their book "Floating to Orbit" to figure out what they were really up to:
http://www.jpaerospace.com/

Cool Science Toys Site

A potential source of future projects:
http://scitoys.com/

Another Lifter Link / Plasmoid Containment Idea

Lifter Link
This one's been around for a while too:
Amercian Antigravity

And hey, right at the top, there's a link to Bob Bussard's last lecture about fusors. It's all interconnected man...

Plasmoid Containment Idea
Have an idea regarding the microwave plasma experiment - possibly contain the plasma with an inverted lifter where the sides form a three-sided pyramid. Where the three planes of air currents converge, at the apex of the pyrimid, is where I imagine the plasmoid being contained. Another benefit is that the noxious Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) from the plasmoid might combine with the lifter's ozone (O3) to produce not-so-bad nitrate (NO3) and good ol' O2.

Next meeting changed to Thursday May 29th

Since this Friday was short notice, AND is the kickoff to the Memorial Day weekend, how 'bout we shoot for the following week? Also, since Friday's might be more of a relaxation type of day, how about Thursday night, May 29th?

Next Meeting This Friday?

How about if we meet this Friday, 5-22-08? My house?

Would you prefer an evite as done previously, or is a posting like this sufficient?

Feel free to leave comments, or suggest another date.

New Energy

What do you all think of this website? I heard about it last night on Coast to Coast AM, and it seems to detail quite a few new and groundbreaking energy creation techniques.
http://newenergymovement.org/

The show last night was mostly about Nikola Tesla. I particularly liked the part about his "free energy car" that used a box with vacuum tubes to tap into some sort of energy:
http://www.evworld.com/article.cfm?storyid=1062

Sounds a bit like legend, the sort of thing one might fantasize about seeing at, say the Maker Faire or something...

Lifter Links

Here are some of the best links on Lifters that I've found, that seek to scientifically explore, experiment with, and explain Lifter propulsion.

NASA's Breakthrough Propulsion Physics lab seems to have the best official study about Lifters and what makes them function.

Jean-Louise Naudin in France is also one of the main amateur proponents in the world.