TECHNICAL FIELD 0001 The present invention is directed to a space propulsion system that is propellantless. The propelling force of a space vehicle is generated by means of generating asymmetric gravitation waves, thus creating a momentum imbalance through the center of mass of the radiating system. This causes a force to act upon said center of mass, resulting in motion in the direction of the least intense gravitational wave.

BACKGROUND ART 0002 Einstein derived the weak-field solution of the gravitational wave in accordance with the general and special theories of relativity. This scientific background is used herein to describe a revolutionary new approach to propulsion. Programmable laser diodes in conjunction with semiconductor materials are used to generate a highly directional transverse wave gravitational wave (TWGW) radiator. This asymmetric TWGW radiator will create a directional force through the center of mass of the radiating system, thus forming a propellantless propulsion system.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 0003 Theoretical work indicates the ability to generate gravitational wave radiation through the quadruple moment of matter under stress and strain. The radiation pattern is symmetric about the center of the mass, and the direction of the pattern is at right angles to the stress and strain vector. The radiation pattern looks like a torus. The radiated power is very small; however, when a linear sequence of radiators is put together and their patterns are allowed to superimpose, the total radiated power can approach very high powers. The asymmetry of the radiated pattern is produced by adjusting the phase of the radiators. The resulting power imbalance will produce a force through the center of mass of the radiators. In order to accomplish this task, high peak power laser diodes will be used to photo-acoustically drive thin-film resonators. 0004 Consider the following. Let ,uv be a Lorentz metric, then the Riemannian metric is expressed as

g,uv,uv{square root}{square root over (Kh,uv)}

0005 as a first approximation under the weak field assumptions, K is 0006 Einsties's constant. The potenial of the field can be expressed as 1

_{uv} = h_{uv} - \frac{1}{2}_{un} h

0007 resulting in the form for 4-space

aB2{square root}{square root over (KTaB)}

0008 with retarded potential solutions of the form

uv(x)({square root}{square root over (K/2)}Tuv(xl,x0)

0009 This form will enable the definition of the energy-momentum complex of the gravitational field in order to evaluate the radiation energy and directivity of the gravitational wave. 0010 The Poynting vector of the gravitational wave can be expressed as 2

U_{o}^{l} = \frac{1}{8} (- 2^{, l}_{, o} +^{, l}_{, o})

0011 The derivatives of the potential fields with respect to time and space coordinates are expressed by the second and third derivatives of the mass tensor,

mc2T00(x,xG0)d3x

0012 momentum tensor,

cPK0xKT00(x,xG0)d3x

0013 and the quadruple moment tensor,

I1KxxKT00(x,xG0)d3x

0014 The derivative forms for the potential fields are substituted into the expression for the Poynting vector, thus giving the expression for the radiated energy per unit time, or power, within a solid angle d, as follows. 3

P_{o}^{l} = U_{o}^{l} d_{e} = \frac{1}{8} {(\frac{\sqrt{K}}{4})}^{2} f (,, x_{G}^{o}) d

0015 Here the factor

f(,,xG0)

0016 represents the directivity of the gravitational wave radiator. 0017 Of particular interest is the resonance vibrator, conceptually similar to what has been used as a gravitational wave detector. The resonance vibrator is placed under stress and strain along the z axis. 0018 At this point assume the following dynamic variables 0019 Displacement 4

= A, \sin (\frac{}{V_{s}}) \cos wt

0020 Particle velocity 5

v = \frac{}{t} = V_{p} \sin (\frac{}{V_{s}}) z \sin wt

0021 Strain 6

\frac{}{z} = \frac{V_{p}}{V_{s}} \cos (\frac{}{V_{s}}) z \cos wt

VpA,0022

V_{p} = {(\frac{B_{s}}{})}^{\frac{1}{2}}

B2Young's Modulus0023 The directivity can now be expressed as follows.

fsin4

0024 The radiating pattern resembles a torus or donut mode, and the maximum radiation occurs in the plane perpendicular to the vibrating z axis. 0025 Consider the linear array of resonant vibrators. Let high peak power laser radiation from laser diodes be injected along the z axis to induce acoustic stress in the material. 0026 The stresses will generate a weak gravitational wave along the x axis. The gravitational wave generated from a number of cells along the x axis can be added in phase. The resultant gravitational beam along the x axis is extremely intensified compared to a single resonant vibrator cell. The linear arrangement will be referred to as a traveling wave (TW) gravitational wave (GW) radiator, or TWGW radiator. 0027 The directivity of the TWGW radiator can be expressed as 8

f {(\frac{\sin (\frac{}{V_{s}} (1 - \cos))}{(\frac{}{V_{s}}) (1 - \cos)})}^{2} \cos^{4}

0028 The TWGW radiation is very directional. The radiated power can be estimated by the following expression. 9

P_{TW} = (7 10^{- 5}) G_{o}^{2} a^{2} l^{2} e_{m}^{2} {V_{s} (\frac{V_{s}}{C})}^{5} {(\frac{b}{V_{s}})}^{6}

0029 Where 0030 GGravitational Constant 0031 EMStrain 0032 Solid Angle of Radiation 0033 bCell Thickness 0034 aCell Width and Length 0035 Array Length 0036 {overscore ()}Cell Resonant Frequency 0037 VsAcoustic Velocity 0038 0Cell Density 0039 This shows how important the phase relationships between individual resonant vibrators are0040 At this point it is important to realize that the radiated gravitational wave carries energy and momentum with it. This is expressed as 10

P = \frac{}{C} = \frac{\underline{P} t}{C}

0041 where P is the radiated power, t is time, is the energy of the gravitational wave, and P is the momentum. 0042 The resulting reaction force on the TWGW structure is expressed as 11

F = \frac{P}{t} = \frac{\underline{P}}{C}

0043 The radiation pattern is symmetric about the center of the TWGW structure. Therefore any reaction force is balanced. However, consider a variation in the phasing of the laser diodes, where the lobes become asymmetric. 0044 This can be accomplished by pulse timing, variation in pulse rate, laser diode intensity, alternate materials, and geometry. Here there is a net force in the direction of the least intense gravitational wave. 0045 The reaction force is expressed as space propulsion system, using a resonant vibrator array driven by laser diodes/fiber optics. 0046 It is an object of the present invention to provide an asymmetric gravity wave propulsion system for propelling a vehicle in space. 0047 Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for containing the resonant vibrator array, having the form of a pod. 0048 A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that contains payload, power, and control, and that provides a mechanical attachment point for the pods by means of a pylon.

0049 FIG. 1 is a representation of a basic linear resonant vibrator array (6). Individual resonant vibrator cells are placed together to create a linear structure, and hence a linear resonant vibrator array (6). The top and bottom are along the z axis, the sides are along the y axis, and the array length is along the x axis. 0050 FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1 also the y axis with the exception that the high-power laser diodes and fiber optics are depicted attached along the z axis to the top and bottom of the array. 0051 FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 1, illustrating the asymmetric radiation pattern generated by appropriate phasing of the laser diodes of FIG. 2. The asymmetric radiation pattern is shown to create a net reaction force along the x axis. 0052 FIG. 4 is a side view of a structure called a pod that houses the resonant vibrator array and laser diode/fiber optic assemblies. 0053 FIG. 5 is a front/back view of FIG. 4. 0054 FIG. 6 is a vehicle containing a payload/power section, propulsion pods, and pylon attachment means. 0055 FIG. 7 is a front/back view of FIG. 6. 0056 FIG. 8 is a top/bottom view of FIG. 6.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 0057 As seen in FIG. 1, a resonant vibrator array (6) is comprised of resonant vibrator cells (1), having length (2), width (3), and depth (4). The cells (1) are arranged in a linear fashion, creating a linear resonant vibrator array (6) of length (5). 0058 As seen in FIG. 2, a high-power laser diode (7) and fiber optic (8) are attached to a resonant vibrator cell (1) on the top and bottom. Each cell (1) in the array (6) is constructed in the same manner. 0059 The asymmetric gravitational wave radiation pattern (9) is depicted in FIG. 3 with respect to the array (6) and the resulting directional force (10). 0060 As seen in FIG. 4, the array (6), laser diodes (7), and fiber optic (8) are interfaced in a support structure (10) with a buss for power/control (11). All are contained in a pod enclosure (15). The power command and control (14) is provided through the mechanical support pylon (13). 0061 FIG. 5 is a front/back view of FIG. 4, showing how laser diodes (7), fiber optics (8), array (6), support structure (10), and power/control buss (11) are referenced to pod enclosure (15) and pylon (13). 0062 FIG. 6 illustrates a vehicle (17), which is comprised of a payload/power section (16), pylons (13), and pods (15). Power/control for the pods (15) is provided by the payload/power section (16) through the pylons (15). The pylons (15) are a mechanical support for the pods (15) to the payload/power section (16). 0063 FIG. 7 depicts the relationship of the pods (15) and pylons (13) with respect to the payload/power section (16) from a front/back perspective. 0064 FIG. 8 illustrates the relationship of the pods (15) to the payload/power section (15) from a top/bottom perspective. 0065 It is to be understood that while directional and attitude control have not been discussed herein since the present invention deals with propulsion only, such direction and attitude control can be achieved by conventional means, i.e., a plurality of nozzles (not shown) may be placed around the vehicle body and actuated by a known thrust vectoring control system carried on the vehicle. 0066 It is further understood that the laser diodes and vibrator cells are commercially available. The diodes, for example, may similar to those distributed by Laser Diodes, Inc. and the cells are known in the art.