Guest:  Dr. Patrick (Paddy) Neumann;  Topics:  Advanced electric propulsion, efficient fuels, commercial applications, new physics and much more.  Please direct all comments and questions regarding specific Space Show programs & guest(s) to the Space Show blog which is part of archived program on our website, www.thespaceshow.com.  Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use. We do not permit the commercial use of Space Show programs or any part thereof, nor do we permit editing, YouTube clips, or clips placed on other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted, but the quote must be cited or referenced using the proper citation format. Contact The Space Show for further information. In addition, please remember that your Amazon purchases can help support The Space Show/OGLF. See www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm.   

We welcomed Dr. Patrick (Paddy) Neumann to the show to discuss advanced electric propulsion, new fuel research and his proposed Neumann Drive.  Please note that this program was actually recorded on Wednesday, August 3 due to technical problems forcing us to abort the Tuesday evening, August 2nd program.  I archived the program for August 2nd only to stay consistent with The Space Show database chronology.  Visit Paddy's website at www.neumannspace.com.  You can take a video tour of his lab and see in person what he talked about during our program. 

During the first segment of our 1 hour 31 minute program, Paddy thoroughly described his electric propulsion drive and how it works.  At times the discussion was technical but it was a good discussion and very complete.  In addition to explaining the Neumann Drive characteristics and operating qualities, he talked about efficiency, fuel choices and why, triggering and arc issues and power sources.  He was asked about the advantages of his engine over other forms of electric propulsion.  He went through the advantages one by one to help us understand what it would mean for the industry when his Neumann Drive was commercial and operational.  Don't miss this discussion.  Not only was it a good one for his drive, it was also an excellent discussion regarding electric propulsion, power units, ISP and Delta V, and much more.

Listeners asked about being able to scale up the design and Paddy talked about clustering the engines.  Listeners also wanted to know if his  propulsion drive was only suitable for cargo or for both cargo and humans.  As you will hear, cargo for now but there are future applications for humans especially with transfer and rendezvous beyond the Van Allen Belts for transit to Mars.  Don't miss what he said about this as he projected this type of plan to have many advantages over more traditional orbits and methods of getting humans to Mars.  Another listener wanted to know about the cost and challenges in changing orbits, something Paddy had been talking about.  Before the break, Jason wanted Paddy to compare his drive to Vasimir.  Don't miss what Paddy had to say in making this comparison.

In the second segment, we took a call from Kim in Mexico who wanted to know more about using the Neumann Drive to boost the ISS, something Paddy had written about in his blog.  Paddy explained how his drive could be used to more efficiently boost the ISS.  Kim and Paddy then talked being able to use the astronaut full carbon cycle for fuel and more.  Don't miss what Paddy had to say about the carbon cycle and its usage.

Another topic that came up was space debris mitigation.  Along these lines, Paddy talked about the need for the establishment of price points which are currently not available in the industry.  In this context he talked about space tugs and how they could be used. 

Paddy received a few questions about alternative propulsion including Mach thrusters and the Woodward effect plus EmDrive.  This prompted Paddy to talk about "new physics."  This is a great discussion so don't miss it.  Included in this discussion was the conservation of momentum principle and how several forms of advanced propulsion seem to require an end run around this law.  He had much to say about the conservation of momentum principle and what it might take to demonstrate a valid new physics approach. 

Paddy offered us a great closing statement with excellent takeaways.  Please post your comments/questions in the comments section for this archived show on TSS website.  You can reach Dr. Neumann through his website or me.