Preface for Frontiers in Propulsion Science

    This book focuses on the science of concepts, not the technology.  That doesn’t mean that technological approaches are not mentioned.  While higher end breakthroughs may prove too difficult to achieve, the text explores each concept from a theoretical concept as well as from a feasibility viewpoint.  The preface points out that questioning better increases understanding, even if there is no success.  It is important to remember that this is the first book of its kind.

    Frontiers in Propulsion Science is not favorable towards Podkletnov’s gravity shields, T.T. Brown, and Yamishita’s electrogravitics.  Anti-gravity is not endorsed as a legitimate discovery at the moment (despite the claims made in Nick Cook’s book, THE HUNT FOR ZERO POINT, and by a number of associates who have contacted my family on seemingly unrelated archeological issues). It is shown in chapters 8 and 9 that oscillators/lifters do not constitute anti-gravity devices.  Chapter 15 indicates that warp drives and wormholes are possible, but would be incredibly difficult to engineer, with the first not being feasible. 

       The book also considers tapping the quantum vacuum, sono-fusion, causality, and faster than light travel methods.  These are some of the areas that I expect to pursue further when I begin my PhD studies in 2012.  

       FRONTIERS IN PROPULSION SCIENCE  is an outstanding place to acquire a survey of unclassified work pertaining to Breakthrough Propulsion Physics.  But as the Preface acknowledges on page xxv, it “should not be interpreted as the definitive last word on the topic of seeking spaceflight breakthroughs.”  Indeed, at least one of the authors (Dr. Hal Puthoff) has had very public associations with key members of the UFO community, and eight of the 22 chapters are the property of the U.S. Government, meaning that they are subject to Government censorship. 

       My opinion of this book after earning my bachelor's degree in space physics is as follows. The book covers many subjects, but the math to back the assertions is patchy.  While there may be some complex equations, there are few attempts to show derivations as is done in almost all textbooks. The difficulty level is also highly variable in between the chapters. This book should really be classified as an overview or reference book of the field and not as a textbook (there are no questions/problems to solve and possible answers). In producing the write-ups I had to do further research to understand/elaborate on the content.