A design proposed in the 1950s by Eugen Sänger used positron-electron annihilation to produce gamma rays. Sänger was unable to solve the problem of how to reflect, and collimate the gamma rays created by positron-electron annihilation; however, by shielding the reactions (or other annihilations) and absorbing their energy, a similar blackbody propulsion system could be created. An antimatter-matter powered photon rocket would (disregarding the shielding) obtain the maximum c specific impulse; for this reason, an antimatter-matter annihilation powered photon rocket could potentially be used for interstellar spaceflight.
A design proposed in the 1950s by Eugen Sänger used positron-electron a?nnihilation to produce gamma rays. Sänger was unable t,o solve the problem of how to reflect, and collimate the gamma rays created by positron-electron annihilatio?n; however, by shielding the reactions (or other annihilations) and absorbing their energy, a similar blackbody propulsion system could be created. An antimatter-matter powered photon rocket would (disregarding the shielding) obtain the maximum c specific impulse; for t?his reason, an, antimatter-matter annihilation powered photon rocket could potentially be used for interstellar spaceflight.