Mach Effects for in Space Propulsion: Interstellar Mission
To explore the feasibility of building a Mach Effect propulsion system capable of reaching Proxima Centauri, with a close encounter of Proxima b, in significantly less than a human lifetime (20-25 yrs.) and to conceptualize an interstellar probe using the Mach Effect propulsion m
Selection note: Curated as a bounded NIAC-era Mach-effect interstellar-probe concept addressing a Proxima mission, useful for mapping extraordinary propulsion proposals and their stated test objectives.
Evidence boundary: NTRS lists open full text, but a contractor feasibility study is not experimental validation of Mach-effect thrust, an interstellar trajectory, or a 25-year return. It is low-readiness context, not evidence for feasibility or a GShips claim.
Stable record
ntrs-20190000915
Topic
mission-architecture
Type
Contractor or Grantee Report
Publisher
Headquarters
Authors
Heidi Fearn; Gary C Hudson; Marshall Eubanks; Bruce Long; Jose Rodal; Paul March; James F Woodward; Nolan Van Rossum
Year
2018
Editorial state
metadata curated editorial draft
Reviewer
GShips Project editorial synthesis
Official link checked
2026-07-25
Source-supplied abstract
To explore the feasibility of building a Mach Effect propulsion system capable of reaching Proxima Centauri, with a close encounter of Proxima b, in significantly less than a human lifetime (20-25 yrs.) and to conceptualize an interstellar probe using the Mach Effect propulsion method. To gather data and send back to Earth, within the 25 year mission duration.
Abstract text has not been adopted as a GShips conclusion.
What would change this record?
A newer or corrected version, a retraction, a verified duplicate, a material topic mismatch, a changed access state, or claim-level review would trigger a dated editorial update.
NTRS lists open full text, but a contractor feasibility study is not experimental validation of Mach-effect thrust, an interstellar trajectory, or a 25-year return. It is low-readiness context, not evidence for feasibility or a GShips claim.
Source-supplied titles, abstracts, authors, and dates may require correction against the canonical full text.
What would change this page?
A newer or corrected version, retraction, verified duplicate, material topic mismatch, changed access state, or claim-level assessment would change this record.
People, review, and conflicts
Prepared by
GShips Project
Editorial status
metadata-curated-editorial-draft
Editorial reviewer
GShips Project editorial synthesis
Last editorial review
No editorial-review date recorded
Independent review
pending
Independent reviewer
No independent reviewer assigned
Last independent review
No independent-review date exists
Last content edit
Not recorded separately
Official source or link verified
2026-07-25
Declared conflicts
The maintainer intends to explore a commercial venture based on some GShips work. No entity, outside funding, customer, sponsor, or indexed-organization relationship currently exists.