A mass tensor in relativistic spacecraft motion

Paper number

IAC-06-C4.P.3.01

Author

Dr. Sergio Elaskar, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba and CONICET, Argentina

Coauthor

Prof. Hector Brito, Instituto Universitario Aeronautico, Argentina

Year

2006

Abstract

In a previous paper the covariant propulsion principle (CPP) concept was introduced: “A spaceship undergoes a propulsion effects when the whole system mass 4-ellipsoid warps” (H. H. Brito, “A propulsion–mass tensor coupling in relativistic rocket motion”. STAIF 1998, Albuquerque). A mass tensor is found in connection with the closed system consisting of the spaceship and its propellant mass, provided a “solidification” point other than the spacecraft center of mass is considered. 

In this paper a new formulation of the mass tensor for relativistic spacecraft motion is introduced. The new expression possesses the following advantages: 1- it is simpler than the original formulation, 2 – it is valid on non-Euclidean spaces, 3 – the coefficients of the mass tensor are easier to calculate, 4 – the new formulation shows the connection between the mass tensor and the spaceship acceleration, 5 - the improved formulation permits to quantify the propulsive effect. 

The new formulation permits to express the mass tensor as a function of the closed system global momentum. Then it is possible to eliminate variables with the objective to find a relation between the acceleration of the spacecraft and its mass tensor. The coupling between the mass tensor and the spacecraft acceleration is shown by means of a diagonal expression for the mass tensor. Numerical results of the propulsive effect as a function of the mass tensor are shown.

Considering the new formulation it is possible to demonstrate that for arbitrary motions when the “solidification” point coincide with the center of mass of the complete closed system, the tensor mass is reduced to scalar mass too.

Abstract document

IAC-06-C4.P.3.01.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-C4.P.3.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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