Flying on Beamed Energy


The Laser-powered Lightcraft
Laser Ignition of Air reactant


BE Flight Systems

Although additional possibities have since emerged relating to climate control, the recovery of this technology was based on  the realisation the Great Pyramid must inevitably have been used to power flight, using beamed energy. However, whilst the remote powering of flight seems to have always been the  primary motivation for their construction, the pyramid, as an energy supply is still only one side of the equation.

How an aircraft used the energy delivered by pyramids to fly around the world and even into space was never as obvious because, understandably, the craft themselves have not survived. Their existence was solidly deduced but aside from Sanskrit records, a few toys and images, legends, scriptures and mythology there seemed little likelihoodthat  any solid, useful evidence would ever emerge about how they worked. This did not deter me entirely but I wasn't too keen to go it alone, hence by books and videos. To top

Fortunately, as it turns out, I was both right and wrong.
NB, As an insight into my research, the major part of this article is basically unedited since it was written c2002 and describes the options as I saw them at that time.

Like so many cryptic puzzles, the solution was only obvious retrospectively and indeed a major piece of evidence was known and was available but seemed too "far out" to be given any serious consideration. In the event, I shall use it later (as I have  in the past), as confirmation of my discoveries, rather than as proof. To top

The First Beamed Energy Vehicle of the Modern Era

Articles from the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) on the future of space launch technology have claimed that beamed-energy propulsion systems are "the most promising technology to lower transportation costs (to space) to tens of dollars per pound." Possibly even more significant, these remote energy sources were specified as included of course the (laser-powered) Lightcraft but also  "the Sun, (or) a ground- or space-based laser or microwave transmitter."   To top

At the moment, the Lightcraft is only being considered for tiny, micro-satellite payloads, powered by a ground-based laser. Scaling up the technology and converting to or including other energy sources will certainly have its problems but the exact physical system that drove the Lightcraft has the obvious potential to be opened up in a number of directions.

As proposed by Leik Myrabo, developer of the Lightcraft, in addition to space launches, there is the obvious possibility of developing an efficient, ecologically green, hypersonic transport system with a potential range going from regional commuter distances through to interstate flights.

If the cost of launching to LEO can be reduced to a tiny fraction of present launch costs (a 1000x reduction is considered at least theoretically possible), how much more could be saved for flights that remain entirely within Earth's atmosphere, using beamed energy from the ground, with air as the only reactant. To top

However, the development of a space launch system with BE technology also opens up the possibility of a clean and efficient global energy collection and distribution system that could redirect the vast majority of Earth's energy usage toward the clean, green, solar alternatives. Though BE technology is initially being developed to revolutionise space launches, its potential for supplying domestic energy and global travel could be far more significant for all of humankind.

The initial tests of the Lightcraft have already proved that flights within the atmosphere could use air as the sole reactant and, quite obviously, flights that boosted only to the top of the atmosphere would require burn-times only a tiny fraction of those needed to reach space, with commensurate savings.

It would therefore seem beyond reasonable argument that atmospheric flight could be developed far more readily than space flight. Also, the very systems developed to power these craft will mean that energy in vast quantities could be made available for beaming around the world. The two systems are entirely complementary with benefits that are self-promoting.  To top

Practical Considerations

Theoretically, within the atmosphere a BEP aircraft could operate to hypersonic speeds without any fuel on board and with no (massive) engine in any conventional sense. The only major proviso, and its a big one, is the need to develop suitable heat-resistant materials to combine with an effective cooling system.
With less weight to carry, again theoretically, the basic craft could be far lighter than any conventional aircraft. Also, since it would normally takeoff and land vertically, it would have no need for a heavy undercarriage or conventional runways. However, to operate at all, these craft must usefully manage exceedingly high temperatures and this obviously comes with its own set of problems, though these are not nearly as severe as the opponents of BEP are suggesting.

NASA (JPL) has calculated that, to reach Low Earth Orbit (LEO), BEP systems (using lasers) will require around 1Megawatt of generated energy (1Mw/kg of payload) throughout the launch, plus 1kg of reactant fuel, which could be water or hydrogen. To top

Although the figures are encouraging they are hardly a rational basis on which to make a comparison most especially since lasers are only one possible option for supplying the energy and by far the mostly costly one at that, not mention  numerous other problems with using the laser option.

However, by comparison with conventional rockets, lasers look fantastic. Conventional rockets  use 1500kg of fuel to launch 1kg of payload and the space shuttle uses a massive 2500kg, per 1kg. The potential savings in fuel and hardware are therefore almost beyond belief even without the additional advantage that with beamed energy all the hardware and the energy production systems could be entirely reusable, ground-based infrastructure.

However, for ecological as well as practical reasons, it is still imperative that in the longer term, the technology ultimately  be based on solar energy. To top

Ionised Plasma of Air

Charactised by a blaze of light, plasma ionisation is most efficient at temperatures above 6,000K, temperatures hot enough to vapourise any material known to man. However, a super-heated plasma will cool rapidly in contact with any surface and totally collapse below 4000K. The high temperatures predicate high efficiency in energy use but they also mean the development of special high-temperature materials and/or the techniques to handle them.

The use of these extreme temperatures might seem to place this whole technology as immediately beyond our reach but this is by no means the case as the conditions required for BEP pale into insignificance when compared to those being seriously contemplated for fusion reactors, where both temperatures and pressures are expected to be 30x greater, at over 1,000,000oK and 1000 atmospheres. To top

Thus, although significant, the problems of BEP would not seem impossible to solve. In both applications, the secret of success is (as far as is physically possible) to prevent the plasma from making direct contact with the containment vessel. This will not only reduce the risk of the container melting but also prevent the plasma from collapsing.

In the direct conversion of energy into thrust associated with BEP, the prior example of lightning in nature suggests that water could produce exactly the benefits required. Though possibly a somewhat unexpected choice, water is by no means without merit, as vapourisation of water is an efficient and effective coolant and the explosive effects seen in lightning most effectively demonstrate the energy released in the reaction.    To top

Evidence from History and from Nature

Henri Coanda

As any steam enthusiast knows, the energetic expansion of water to steam releases vast quantities of energy and it is certainly entirely possible to fly an aircraft on steam power alone. The Romanian scientist, Henri Coanda, is now credited with developing the first aircraft powered by a (hybrid) steam-augmented thrust system in 1910. Coanda went on (in the early 1930's) to produce his "Aerodina Lenticulara", a flying saucer (model) aircraft, successfully powered solely by steam. There would seem to be absolutely no question that, supplied with beamed energy, a larger, highly efficient version of this craft could be developed on precisely the same principles.

However, although Coanda was many years ahead of Frank Whittle in his development of "jet" propulsion, his use of steam as a reactant did not receive popular support. Despite this he was highly regarded as a brilliant and visionary scientist for his life's work in aviation. To the end of his life, Coanda was adamant that steam had major potential in powering flight. Using beamed energy, it now seems he may well have been right all along. To top

Steam-powered Flight

Water expands to steam by a factor of ~1700 and the latent heat reaction absorbs and/or releases large quantities of energy, depending which wat its going., The plasma of ionised air (as seen in lightning) is undoubtedly one of the most energetic  reactions in nature but there would seem to be clear potential for controlling it safely, using a combination of lasers, microwaves and/or direct solar power.

Powered by microwaves or solar energy, a laser could be used to trigger the final explosive reaction of condensing steam by specifically ionising a small charge of vapour or air. Controlling the total power should be possible by controlling the (laser) triggering and/or the flow of reactant.  To top

Although there was a major tendency for the Lightcraft to overheat, the tiny model had absolutely no cooling system at all and still survived for 12 seconds. It does not seem an impossible challenge to develop a somewhat larger craft that could readily extend this range. Further suggestions for a possible design are given by other historical data (to be investigated shortly).

20 seconds at 3"g"s acceleration would see the craft at 5,000m-6,000m, the top of the breathable atmosphere. Double it again and the craft would be travelling hypersonically, would be higher than all commercial aircraft and well beyond the altitude limit for normal airborne flight.

Beamed energy propulsion comes with specific requirements and there is a need for significant, permanent ground infrastructure to support it. However, most of the infrastructure is a one-off cost and  entirely known technology. To top

A NEW (but old) Alternative

The idea that a Lighcraft or a version of Coanda's Steam-powered Aerodina Lenticulara might be the solutionled me to investigate a great many possibilities but I kepy being nagged by the notion that Nature had a great many better examples in every storm I ever saw and apparently used many of the same ingredients. 

When no one was able to fully confirm how storms worked, I added them to my list, to be investigated, along with lightning, mill damp and other energetic reactions within Nature. To top

A Reminder from Pre-history

Numerous combinations of energy flow, vortexes, electrical and chemical reactions and many combinations of their use that could potentially achieve the desired thrust. A number of these possibilitites are unique to operating a craft on beamed energy.

Palenque Spaceman

von Daniken's "Spaceman of Palenque"

Could this really be a schematic of a spacecraft -
precisely as von Daniken claimed?

Find out about "The ACE mechanism"

In different situations, panels on the craft may be opened or closed, with the energy made to flow in different directions. The energy combinations will vary depending on a bewildering array of factors.

It was during the process of testing and drawing up sketches of these various energy options when it suddenly struck me I had seen something remarkably similar before, in the famous (or infamous?) book, "The Chariots of the Gods" (1967) by Erich von Daniken. To top

Like many others in the mid-60's, I had been most impressed by the basic rationale and the theory propounded by von Daniken, perhaps more so than many others because his basic hypothesis closely matched many of my own conclusions. However, I was totally dismayed by the manner in which he presented his overly enthusiastic claims without any shred of supporting evidence.

Having collected a mass of most impressive evidence, IMHO, von Daniken vastly overstated what this evidence might actually prove and ultimately probably did his cause vastly more harm than good by his cavalier approach. His reputation was tarnished and he caused many scientists to dismiss his claims out of hand. And, in raising an unnecessarily heated and acrimonious debate, he made it very difficult to revisit what was, and still is, essentially excellent evidence.  To top

I had long ago dismissed von Daniken as being annoyingly unprofessional but the evidence he had introduced was nevertheless still entirely pertinent and two pieces in particular had stayed in my memory. The first was the Piri Reis map of the north and south Atlantic, taken as if taken from space and the second was the extraordinary sculpted relief discovered on the top of a sarcophagus in a pyramid at Palenque, in Mexico. The tomb was that of Lord Pacal, claimed in local legend to be a visitor from space and the relief, reportedly, was of the (space-)ship he used in traveling down to Earth from space.

Now 30 years later, it was the relief of von Daniken's so-called Spaceman of Palenque that was so clearly brought to mind as it now appeared to match the emerging evidence in quite uncanny detail.

I believe it is at last time to reopen the case on both of these pieces of evidence, the Spaceman of Palenque and the Piri Reis maps. With evidence of the technology now firmly established, these well-known artifacts can also be seen in an entirely new light. In fact, they can be shown to strongly corroborate all the newly revealed technical aspects of exactly how visitors to earth were able to land on our planet and return to space. See "Chapter 19 "Solar Power and Pyramids" and my videos in the next section To top

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