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SEMINAR REPORT
ON
ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEM
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
SESSION 2010 2011
RAHUL YADAV
0803240037
ABES ENGINEERING COLLEGE, GHAZIABAD
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CONTENTS
1. Meaning of Propulsion and Propulsion System2. Basic principle of Propulsion
3. Application of Propulsion System
4. Need of Advanced Propulsion System
5. Different Advanced Propulsion System
6. Detail of different Advanced Propulsion System
7. Conclusion
8. References
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MEANING OF PROPULSION AND PROPULSION SYSTEM
Propulsion word is derived from two Latin words: pro meaning before or forward and peller
meaning to drive. Propulsion means to push forward or drive an object forward. A Propulsion
System is a machine that produces thrust to push an object forward. On airplanes trust is
usually generated through some application ofNewtons third law of action and reaction. A
gas, or working fluid, is accelerated by the engine, and the reaction to this acceleration
produces a force on the engine.
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BASIC PRINCIPLE OF PROPULSION
The principle of propulsion depends on the following two laws: -
(i)Newtons third law of motion
(ii) Law of conservation of momentum
The motion of a rocket is an interesting application of Newtons third law of motion &
momentum principle. The rocket expels a jet of hot gases from its tail. This is say, an action
force. The jet of hot gases exerts a force on the rocket, propelling it forward; this is thereaction force.From the momentum point of view, the hot gases acquire momentum in the
backward direction & the rocket acquires an equal amount of momentum in the forward
direction. A balloon shooting forward (when the mouth of the balloon filled with air is
released) and a rocket hurtling into space are propelled by similar forces. The air in a closed
balloon exerts a uniform outward force. But when air rushes out of its neck (similar to
exhaust gases leaving rockets) disturbs this equilibrium. Thus an equal and opposite force is
exerted on the surface opposite to the neck. This drives the balloon forward.
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APPLICATION OF PROPULSION SYSTEM
The main application of propulsion system is in the field of space research. Different
propulsion systems are used to propel the rockets in the space. When a satellite is needed to
fix in the orbit of earth, it is required to send it through very high velocity, here the
propulsion systems are used. But the techniques used in these days are very costly and less
efficient hence we need Advanced Propulsion system.
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NEED OF ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEM
Even though modern chemical rockets have sent us to the Moon, to build large space
settlements we will need something more. Today, the high cost of launching into space limits
the number of people who go there. Advanced propulsion, however, offers a chance to
dramatically lower launch costs and increase efficiency. Furthermore, many of the ideas
being proposed would allow us to move around the solar system much quicker than we do
today. Instead of months to Mars, it would be weeks. Years to Jupiter would be months. And
centuries to the stars would become years.
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DIFFERENT ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
1. Nuclear Fusion Propulsion
2. Electromagnetic Propulsion
3. Electrostatic Propulsion
4. Laser Propulsion
5. Microwave Propulsion
6. Air breathing Propulsion
7. Antimatter Propulsion
8. Tether Technology
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DETAILS OF DIFFERENT ADVANCED PROPULSION
SYSTEMS
1. Nuclear Fusion Propulsion
Principle:
In nuclear fusion, lighter nuclei (lighter than iron) fuse to form a heavier nucleus. In this
process they release energy. This energy is used to heat the propellants forming gaseous
products providing thrust to the rocket.
Explanation:
The best example of energy generated by fusion is our sun, in which the heat energy is
produced by the fusion of two hydrogen isotope atoms to form helium.
1H2 + 1H
22He4 + Energy
There is a difference in mass between the two original lightweight nuclei and single product
nucleus. Here also, the energy is liberated according to mass defect concept explained in
nuclear fission. This results in release of tremendous amount of energy. This energy is used
to heat propellants, which form gaseous products. These gases are forced out through nozzle
producing thrust.
Advantages:
A fusion propulsion rocket will have much greater specific impulse. A chemical rocketengine has a specific impulse of about 450 seconds. A fusion rocket could have an estimated
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specific impulse of 130,000 seconds. This large specific impulse would greatly increase the
speed of rockets making the missions faster (it could cut down the number of days by about
50%) and make manned missions easier.
Fusion-powered rockets would use hydrogen as a propellant. Hydrogen is present in the
atmosphere of many planets. So as the spacecraft travels through space it could replenish its
supply ofhydrogen from any planet's atmosphere. This propulsion technique is currently not
being used, as it requires very high temperatures to initiate the fission process.
2. Electromagnetic Propulsion
Plasma Electromagnetic propulsion is a type of electric propulsion in which propellant isheated to a state and then accelerated. Electromagnetic devices pass a large current through a
small amount of gas to ionize the propellant. The ionized propellant ( plasma) is accelerated
by an electromagnetic force called the Lorentz force.
Principle:
The VASIMR engine creates plasma under extremely hot conditions and then expels that
plasma to provide thrust.
Parts
There are three basic cells in the VASIMR engine.
Forward cell
A neutral propellant gas is injected into this chamber. It is then ionized and plasma is created.
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Central cell
In this cell, this electrically charged gas is heated to create a desired density. This is done
using electromagnetic energy.
Aft cell
After heating, the plasma it enters a two-stage hybrid nozzle at the aft cell. This cell is used to
exhaust the plasma to generate thrust.
A magnetic nozzle is used to convert the energy of the plasma into velocity of the exhaust
gases. In the second stage, the plasma detaches from the magneticfield and is exhausted to
provide modulated thrust. The magneticfield that is used to expel the plasma also protects the
spacecraft because it keeps the plasma from touching the shell of the spacecraft. Plasma
would likely destroy any material it came in contact with. The temperature of the plasma
exiting the nozzle is as hot as 180 million degrees Fahrenheit (100 million degrees Celsius).
That's 25,000 times hotter than gases expelled from the space shuttle.
Working:
The steps in producing thrust are as follows:
The propellant (hydrogen) is first ionized by electromagnetic waves.
Then it is transferred to the central chamber. This chamber is threaded with magnetic fields.
The ions spiral around the magnetic field lines with a certain natural frequency. By
bombarding them with radio waves of the same frequency, the system heats the ions to 10
million Kelvin's.
A magnetic nozzle converts the spiraling motion into axial motion, driving the hydrogen
ions out the back of the rocket and producing thrust. There is a magnetic choke using which
the rocket exhaust can be controlled. When we close the choke, the number of ions gettingforced out of the nozzle decreases. Thus the thrust is less. But the temperature is kept
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asma.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/plasma.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/magnetic_field.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/magnetic_field.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/plasma.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/velocity.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/plasma.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/plasma.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/plasma.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');8/3/2019 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constant, thus increasing the specificimpulse. Conversely, by opening the choke, more ions
are forced out of the nozzle increasing the thrust. As temperature is constant, specific impulse
decreases. A spacecraft would use low gear to climb out of planetary orbit, and high gear for
interplanetary cruise. Thus VASIMR can work in both high gear and low gear unlike all the
present technologies
3. Electrostatic Propulsion
This technique of propulsion utilizes electrostatic energy, i.e. energy due to electric charges
on materials is used to propel rockets. Since ions are used for this, the technique is also called
as ion propulsion technique.
Principle:
In an ion rocket, the electrons from the atoms are striped off. Thus they are converted to ions.
These atoms now have a net positive electric charge. Electrical forces accelerate these ions to
high temperature without the use ofthermalenergy.
Working:
The propellant used in this technique is xenon, a heavy inert gas. The energy, which propels
the xenonjet, is the electrical energy from solar cells. This electricity is supplied to both the
ionization chamber and to the neutralizer at the nozzle of the rocket. The propellant is
pumped into the ionization chamber where the propellant atoms get ionized. The process
takes place as follows: In the ionization chamber, electric field provides velocity to ions. This
provides thrust to the rocket as per the law of conservation of momentum (see Physics
World). Ionization is done by electron bombardment of the neutral atoms. Positive ions are
produced by electronbombardment of neutral propellant atoms in a discharge chamber. The
impact of an electron on a xenon atom knocks away one ofxenon's 54 electrons. This results
in a xenon atom with a positive charge, or what is known as an ion. Two molybdenum grids
with a potential of 1,300 volts then accelerate these xenon ions between them, driving the
ions out the exhaust at over 30 kilometers per second. The exhaust of the rocket must be
neutral. That is because, if only positive ions are emitted, the knocked off electrons are left
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olybdenum.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/xenon.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/electrons.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/electrons.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/xenon.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/molybdenum.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/ion.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/xenon.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/electrons.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/xenon.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/xenon.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/electron_bombardment.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/electron_bombardment.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/ionization.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/02144/basics/intro.htmhttp://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/02144/basics/intro.htmhttp://window_open%28%27../glossary/velocity.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/electric_field.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/ionization.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/ionization.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/ionization.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/solar_cells.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/xenon.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/xenon.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/thermal_energy.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/electrons.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/ion.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/ion.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/specific_impulse.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');http://window_open%28%27../glossary/specific_impulse.html','title','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,resizable=no,width=440,height=300');8/3/2019 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behind and the spacecraft becomes negatively charged. So after a certain amount of time, the
spacecraft would attract all the emitted positive ions and the propulsion system would not do
its function of creating thrust. In order to ensure that exhaust is neutral, neutralizer emits
exactly the same number of electrons into the ion stream (exhaust), as there are ions. This
prevents the spacecraft from charging to a large negative potential.
Advantages:
Ion engine propellants are chosen for a combination of low ionization potential, high atomic
weight, handling, and storage properties. This technique of propulsion is still in its
developmental stages.
4. Laser Propulsion
Working Principle
The principle of laser propulsion is that it uses mirror to focus the incoming laser beam. This
beam strikes the propellant, which is lined at the bottom of the spacecraft. The gases
produced propel the spacecraft forward. The spacecraft consists of 2 components-The light
source, which is the high precision laser powered beam and spacecraft designed as a highly
polished parabolic mirror capable of receiving light. Prior to the liftoff, a jet of compressed
air is used to spin the spacecraft. This stabilizes the spacecraft. Once the spacecraft is
spinning at a constant rate, the laser beam is used which propels the spacecraft into space.
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The laser beam is maintained at a fixed position on the ground so that the mirror focuses the
beam. The bottom of the spacecraft is lined with a thin coat of propellant.When the laser
pulses strike the propellant it leads to rapid heating of air. This forces the vehicle in direction
opposite to the laser beam source (i.e. away from the earth). The pulsing of laser beam
continuously propels the rocket forward.
5. Microwave Propulsion
Microwaves are very short waves of electromagnetic energy traveling at the speed of light.
Their wavelength varies 30 cm to 0.3 cm.
Construction:
The microwave light craft is equipped with two powerful magnets and three types of
propulsion engines. Large number of antennas, built on the top of the craft, receives
microwaves and converts it into electricity required for launching. The electricity produced
ionizes the air and propels the craft forward. Upon reaching a high altitude the light craft tilts
sideways. Part of the microwave power reflected from the front of the ship is used to heat the
air. This allows the spacecraft to cut through the air up to 25 times faster with respect to the
speed of sound. The other half is converted into electricity by the receiving antenna. This
electricity produced help in energizing the engines, which help in accelerating air around the
craft.
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NASA researchers are working to develop a system that relies on microwaves beamed either
from satellite or from a fixed point on earth. Their goal is to transport payloads and people
into the low earth orbit for approximately about $100 per pound. This cost is roughly 1
percent of the total cost of launching the same payload with the help of a space shuttle.
Advantages:
They can be used for transmitting information from one place to another as they can
penetrate haze, light rain, snow and smoke
Short microwaves (that are few inches long) are used in remote sensing.
A magnetron is used for generation of microwaves. Magnetron is a vacuum tube containing a
cylindrical cathode and coaxial anode. Between the cathode and anode, electrons move in
curved path due to the influence of electric and magnetic fields. The movement of electrons
towards anode results in emission of energy. This energy is transported to a wave-guide.
Wave-guide consists of a rectangular tube whose one end is connected to microwave power
source and at the other end delivery of power takes place. The function of wave-guide is totake input from the microwave source and deliver it at the other end with undiminished
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intensity. Because of the above-discussed advantages microwaves can be used for propulsion
of light crafts. Microwave propulsion has an advantage over laser propulsion, as it is cheaper.
6. Air Breathing Rocket
As it has been explained in the earlier section, a liquid oxidizer and fuel are combined and
burned to produce high pressure, high velocity stream of hot gases in conventional rocket
engines Air breathing rockets use oxidizer but the source is the oxygen from the atmosphere
rather than stored liquid oxygen. The spacecraft is built with intake vents that breathe in
oxygen as the vehicle flies. This oxygen is combined with the rocket fuel and combustion
takes place. Initially rockets are used to propel until the air breathing rockets reach twice the
speed of sound. At this stage, atmospheric oxygen would mix with fuel to propel the vehicle
10 to 12 times the speed of sound. Air breathing rockets are launched horizontally so that
they can capture sufficient air required to break through the earth's atmosphere. Air-
augmented rockets can be used to launch the air breathing rockets. After the lift-off the
rockets are turned off and the propulsion system is used to support the combustion process.
Airaugmented rockets are normal rocket engines with the exception that at high speeds it
enhances the oxidization of the fuel with the air in the atmosphere. They are placed in ducts,
which capture air. The idea behind the design of air-breathing rockets is to reduce the cost of
placing the spacecraft in the orbit, cut weight and increase efficiency. Currently, it costs
about $10,000 per pound to launch an object into space. The aim is to reduce this price to
about few hundred dollars per pound. The weight of the vehicle would be reduced by 50
percent, as it carries no oxidizer.
Air-breathing rocket engines could make future space travel like today's air travel. Hueter,
manager of NASA's Advanced Reusable Technologies, quoted this statement.
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7. Antimatter Spacecraft
What is antimatter? Antimatter as the name suggests, is exactly the opposite of normal
matter. These particles are mirror image of matter. Antimatter is of the same size as normal
matter, but has opposite properties (like electrical charge). Some of the examples of
antimatter particles are Positron- They are electrons with a positive charge. Discovery of
positron in 1932 by Carl Anderson proved that antimatter exists. Anti-protonsprotons that
have a negative charge Because of this difference between the natures of the two particles,
antimatter and matter, they attract each other and upon collision they produce a brilliant flash
of light. Due to this collision the entire mass of both the particles is converted into energy.
This energy released can be used to propel the spacecrafts. As we now know what are
antimatter particles, let us see the working of antimatter engines.
Engines:
To understand the working of anti-matter engines let us first see the construction of an
antimatter engine. It is made up of 3 main components
Payload section - this is used to store the antimatter and separate it from matter.
Storage system- to produce energy
Magnetic rocket nozzle thrusterproduces sufficient thrust to propel the spacecraft
Payload section is made up of magnetic storage rings. They are storage rings with magnetic
field. They continuously move the antimatter particles in a ring until they are required to
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liberate energy. When the energy is needed antimatter particle is released and directed
towards the matter to produce energy. This operation is carried out in the storage system. A
long magnetic nozzle (nozzle operating on magnetic energy) transfers the energy released to
a thruster that produces the necessary thrust to propel the spacecraft forward. The antimatter
propulsion technique has some pros and cons.
Merits of using this propulsion system
Efficient as 100 percent of mass of matter and antimatter is converted into energy
Produces a large amount of energy that is about 1000 times nuclear fission energy and
about 300 times more than nuclear fusion energy.
It would allow the spacecrafts to reach the nearby stars and solar system in a fraction of
time that is required by space shuttles using hydrogen-oxygen fuel.
Fuel required will be less as energy produced per gram increases.
Demerit
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-Lack of antimatter substance existing in the universe.
8. Tether Technology
Attach any mass to a string, spin it round and round, suddenly let go of the string and marvel
at the speed at which it flies. Well, this precisely explains the principle behind tether
technology, which is being researched upon for cheaper means of launching shuttles into
space.
Principle:
In tether technology, cables, miles long, are stationed in an orbit around the earth. On one end
there is a shuttle and on the other end of the tether would be a counter mass. This system
picks up spacecraft in low orbits and hurls them into higher orbits or towards other planets.
Working:
As discussed previously, using the technologies that we have today, the mass to be carried to
space is placed into a low-earth orbit by a rocket. It is then boosted to higher orbits or into
space (towards other planets, i.e. destination) by rocket thrusters. Though efficient, this
method proves very costly. One of the methods, which is efficient and is also cost effective,
is to use space tethers. When the new satellite or space probe is launched, the spinning tether
system captures it and flings it farther from Earth. Now, the principle used is that of
momentum exchange. This means that the momentum of the spinning tether would be
employed to boost the satellite or the shuttle. So as the tether boosts the body further into
space, it itself comes closer to the earth than it was. So after the tether has boosted bodies for
a certain number of times, it falls back to earth.
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CONCLUSION
These techniques are being developed to reduce the cost of sending payload in space and
increase efficiency. Space agencies are testing some of these techniques and exploring others
to devise method for thrust generation. Currently, it costs about $10,000 per pound to launch
an object into space. The space agencies are trying to reduce this price to about few hundred
dollars per pound.
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REFERENCES
www.en.wikipedia.org
www.space.com
www.settlement.arc.nasa.gov
www.grc.nasa.gov
www.library.thinkquest.org