This is an idea I started writing about 30 years ago in science fiction stories. I published that idea a lot in the 90s and oos in science fiction and blogs, yet everyone loves chemical rockets and similar systems including ion drives.
There was a subtle reason why Robert Goddard wanted federal funding to build an electromagnetic subway from NY to Boston in 1911. One could use use electro magnetic power to launch modules into space along a strait, 25 mile tube pointed at a slight mile up accelerating at an easy pace of 1000 miles per hour. Modules need be heavily shielded from atmospheric friction. He was something of an American genius. Of course he was denied and developed to be credited as the founder of US rocket science.
ChatGPT makes it a lot easier to move it toward a more technical basis.
The following is a response resulting from ChatGPT dialogues.
ChatGPT-
"Here’s a master, seamless reference combining your structured solar electromagnetic transport concepts with the science fiction layer:
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Master Reference: Solar Electromagnetic Transport and Large-Scale Physics-Based Systems
1. Core Concept
Harness solar energy by capturing photons and converting them into usable electromagnetic (EM) power.
Use EM energy to create directed fields for propulsion or energy transport within the solar system and potentially for interstellar applications.
Avoid traditional mechanical “black box” technology, aiming for large-scale, natural, physics-driven systems.
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2. Photon-to-EM Power Conversion
Capture solar photons efficiently.
Convert photons into a concentrated, controllable EM field.
Maximize energy retention (ideally near 99% conversion and containment efficiency).
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3. Containment and Shaping of EM Fields
Explore methods to contain high-intensity EM fields or photons without significant loss.
Possible containment approaches:
Electromagnetic force: Use EM fields to confine and direct energy.
Gravitational effects: Investigate whether gravity or combined forces can help stabilize or focus EM fields.
Hybrid containment: Use a combination of EM and gravitational interactions for long-range field control.
Goal: Transform the EM field into a “purpose-directed” field for transportation or energy projection.
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4. Directed EM Fields for Transport
EM fields or photon streams as propulsion or transport vectors (both intra-solar system and interstellar).
Conceptual parallel: artificial pulsars emitting controlled, directed beams.
Energy can be dynamically redirected or modulated for different purposes (e.g., spacecraft propulsion, interstellar signals).
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5. Large-Scale, Natural System Paradigm
Move away from discrete mechanical devices and black-box engineering.
Focus on natural, scalable physics solutions operating over vast areas.
Key principles:
Economical to construct and maintain.
Minimize environmental disruption and material waste.
Leverage large-scale fields or naturally occurring forces rather than intricate machinery.
Dyson-sphere-inspired distributed approach:
Use smaller, modular units encircling the Sun to capture and direct energy.
Units act as coordinated field manipulators rather than independent machines.
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6. Research and Conceptual Directions
Investigate advanced physics concepts for EM field containment and directional control at large scales.
Explore hybrid force interactions (EM + gravity + other forces) for field shaping
Model energy capture and conversion efficiency of modular solar collector units.
Conceptual simulations of large-scale field-directed propulsion or energy transfer.
Consider “phase” approaches: transitioning naturally occurring energy fields into dedicated, directed forms for practical applications.
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7. Overarching Paradigm
Vision: continuum of energy transport and propulsion systems:
1. Solar photons → EM energy
2. EM containment and shaping
3. Directed transport fields for propulsion
4. Natural, physics-driven, scalable infrastructure
Focus on conceptual clarity, scalability, and ecological sustainability.
Applications span solar system transport to interstellar propulsion.
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8. Science Fiction Conceptual Layer: Advanced EM Transport
8.1 Interstellar Field Networks
Networks of EM energy conduits extending through the solar system and beyond.
Modular field units coordinate like a distributed lattice around the Sun, forming dynamic “energy highways.”
Units can shift phase states to redirect energy instantly, creating adaptable pathways.
8.2 Artificial Pulsar Beams
Concentrated photon-to-EM conversion creates pulsar-like beams.
Beams serve multiple purposes: propulsion, long-range communication, directed energy transmission.
Containment fields maintain beam coherence and intensity over vast distances.
8.3 Gravity-Assisted EM Containment
Hybrid EM + gravitational field shaping.
Local gravitational wells or artificial mass distributions help focus and stabilize EM streams.
Enables near-lossless containment and long-range direction of highly energetic fields.
8.4 Field-Based Phase Transitions
“Phase transitions” of energy fields allow dynamic adaptation:
Shifting ambient EM energy into directed propulsion fields.
Changing field shape or density for specific tasks.
Removes the need for complex machinery while enabling adaptable, large-scale energy manipulation.
8.5 Distributed Dyson-Inspired Units
Smaller, coordinated units instead of a full Dyson sphere.
Each unit functions as a field manipulator or photon collector.
Collective behavior enables adaptive energy capture, containment, and redirection on a solar-system scale.
Emphasizes modularity, redundancy, and natural scalability.
8.6 Conceptual Benefits
Economical & clean: minimal reliance on conventional materials or polluting manufacturing.
Scalable: easily expands across solar system and interstellar distances.
Flexible: units and fields can shift purpose without physical reconfiguration.
Science-fiction realism: rooted in advanced physics concepts while allowing imaginative extrapolation.
8.7 Potential Research Directions
Simulate field interactions at solar-system scale.
Explore energy retention and beam coherence over interstellar distances.
Investigate hybrid force applications (EM, gravitational, possibly exotic fields).
Conceptual design of modular field units capable of self-organization and adaptation.
Examine emergent behaviors of large distributed EM networks.
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This master reference now captures:
Practical solar EM transport ideas
Large-scale, natural, non-mechanical paradigms
Advanced science-fiction extensions into interstellar transport"
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