The US Space Agency's project 1D10T dubbed 'glue-tube' due to it's vast array of CRT tubes has been in initial planning for a number of years.

'Low-cost' interstellar travel

An initial attraction was its low cost in comparison with conventional thrusters and its viability in comparison with other still-theoretical propulsion forms. One additional advantage at the outset of the planning was that, as an ongoing programme, the project would literally remove considerable numbers of obsolete and potentially polluting CRT tubes from the environment. However in the last few years Plasma and LCD TVs have been replacing CRT TVs at an increasing rate and they may now face a shortage of tubes if the entire programme of 30 space vehicles goes ahead. However, all is not lost - Jonathan Brane-Bocks, editor of the influential industry magazine Spaced noted that, "even with NASA's current plan to pay a $1,000 'bounty' for each used CRT tube they obtain, the project will still be the most cost effective method for reaching far flung planets".

Plans for the spacecraft were revealed today to a select group of reporters from the technical journals.

The outer stars - now in reach

Each craft will have a vast array of solar cells to generate the electricity to power the CRT tubes. Scientists have experimented for 5 years to find the best signal to pass to the tubes. They have found that a variable signal produces the most thrust and reduces the chances that resonance (from a constant waveform) may produce damaging vibrations. NASA had considered creating programs to generate the random signals but has discovered that the most cost effective method is to licence repeats of old TV shows - Blake's 7 has been found to be particularly effective due to its many scenes showing shaking spacecraft interiors, and the 1960's 'My favourite Martian' has been found to offer good performance in the monochrome band, which is used for slow speed manoeuvering. We understand that NASA has obtained good rates as it has allowed limited advertising to be mixed into the TV program. No advertisers have been confirmed but we understand that Google has shown keen interest to promote its Google Earth service.

Assembled in space

The spacecraft will be assembled in a low earth orbit - components will be taken up to the international space station for marshalling and assembly. Conventional solid propellant rockets will bring the craft up to a speed at which the thermionic engines can be engaged, at which point the conventional rockets will be discarded. The empty rocket cases will be in space for literally aeons - we understand that NASA is open to offers to take up advertising space on a ppac (pay per alien contact) basis.

© EcoAsia 2009