P5_5 Captain's Log 3.14

Abstract

We calculate the plausibility of a method of propulsion for space travel at relativistic velocities. This propulsion utilises the momentum from photons produced through particle-antiparticle annihilation. We outline the key physics involved in this method of propulsion and determine that it is physical unfeasible. We calculate that a mass of 201,000kg of 22Mg is required to produce enough positrons to annihilate into photons to accelerate a 10kg spacecraft up to 0.5c.