Theory of More Efficient Propulsion Method Explored

This document is a JPRS report from December 1992, authored by Lieutenant Colonel V. Maksimovskiy, discussing a theoretical propulsion method for spacecraft. The report centers on the ideas of V. Shabetnik, a senior scientific associate at the NPO of Experimental Machine Building. Shabetnik proposes a spacecraft design that avoids traditional thermal energy engines, which he argues are inefficient. Instead, he suggests a spherical hull covered in a layer of superconductive material, referred to in the text as 'Muhammad's Coffin.' The system would utilize high-velocity electron accelerators positioned within the hull to interact with the superconducting envelope, creating an ampere force that allows for controlled flight. The document notes that Shabetnik's theories were influenced by earlier experiments conducted by P. Oshchepkov in 1959 regarding heat release in semiconductors. The report mentions that preliminary tests on models using Y-Ba-Cu-0 type superconductors were conducted at the NPO of Experimental Machine Building, with the oversight of V. Pallo, chairman of the Astronautics Federation Committee. These tests involved applying electrical pulses to models submerged in liquid nitrogen. The author concludes by suggesting that while many obstacles remain, the development of a prototype with a diameter of up to 5 meters and a mass of up to 5 metric tons is a necessary next step. The document also briefly notes that the models used in these experiments exhibited instantaneous movements and changes in direction, similar to descriptions of 'flying saucers.'