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Antimatter Propulsion for Interstellar Travel via Positron Production from Potassium-40 Rich Biological Matter

C. Hall, L. N. H. P. Hall

Abstract

Anitmatter-based propulsion is often cited as a physically plausible route to relativistic interstellar travel, and thus as a potential mechanism by which technologically advanced civilizations could expand throughout the galaxy. Its difficulty may be central to the resolution of Fermi's paradox. Since the Universe should be teaming with advanced technological life, yet we see none, it may be that interstellar travel is simply too difficult. It has been suggested that the main difficulty with using antimatter as propulsion is its limited availability, assuming it must be artificially manufactured. In this paper, we demonstrate that naturally occurring potassium 40 - rich biological matter (specifically bananas) is a promising, overlooked antimatter source for interstellar propulsion.

Antimatter Propulsion for Interstellar Travel via Positron Production from Potassium-40 Rich Biological Matter

Abstract

Anitmatter-based propulsion is often cited as a physically plausible route to relativistic interstellar travel, and thus as a potential mechanism by which technologically advanced civilizations could expand throughout the galaxy. Its difficulty may be central to the resolution of Fermi's paradox. Since the Universe should be teaming with advanced technological life, yet we see none, it may be that interstellar travel is simply too difficult. It has been suggested that the main difficulty with using antimatter as propulsion is its limited availability, assuming it must be artificially manufactured. In this paper, we demonstrate that naturally occurring potassium 40 - rich biological matter (specifically bananas) is a promising, overlooked antimatter source for interstellar propulsion.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 10 sections, 8 equations, 3 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Method
  3. Positron Production
  4. Relativistic Kinetic Energy Requirements
  5. Probe Scenarios
  6. Interstellar Travel Times
  7. Storage Volume and Compression Factor Estimates
  8. Results
  9. Discussion
  10. Conclusion

Figures (3)

  • Figure 1: A demonstration of the number of bananas required to reach a given cruise velocity.
  • Figure 2: The compression factor required to fit the necessary number of bananas on board each probe.
  • Figure 3: Time taken to produce the number of bananas required. For many scenarios, it is longer than the age of humanity. For a starship capable of carrying a small village, it would exceed the age of the Universe