'Antigravity' Propulsion and Relativistic Hyperdrive

TL;DR

This paper explores the theoretical possibility of hyperdrive propulsion using relativistic gravitational fields, calculating payload trajectories and thresholds for achieving superluminal-like speeds in strong gravitational fields.

Contribution

It introduces a novel concept of hyperdrive driven by relativistic gravitational fields and provides calculations of payload trajectories and speed thresholds.

Findings

Hyperdrive can theoretically propel payloads faster than the driver mass.

Thresholds for hyperdrive depend on driver mass and velocity.

Strong gravitational fields at relativistic speeds enable rapid payload acceleration.

Abstract

Exact payload trajectories in the strong gravitational fields of compact masses moving with constant relativistic velocities are calculated. The strong field of a suitable driver mass at relativistic speeds can quickly propel a heavy payload from rest to a speed significantly faster than the driver, a condition called hyperdrive. Hyperdrive thresholds and maxima are calculated as functions of driver mass and velocity.