'Antigravity' Propulsion and Relativistic Hyperdrive

Abstract

Exact payload trajectories in the strong gravitational fields of compact masses moving with constant relativistic velocities are calculated. The strong field of a suitable driver mass at relativistic speeds can quickly propel a heavy payload from rest to a speed significantly faster than the driver, a condition called hyperdrive. Hyperdrive thresholds and maxima are calculated as functions of driver mass and velocity.

4 pages, 4 figures, 2 video clips. To be presented at 25th International Space Development Conference, Los Angeles, 4-7 May 2006