Primary Intelligence Asset

NASA EPPP Propulsion 1999

Declassified Public record OCR verified
INTEL

Executive Summary

Researchers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center propose the External Pulsed Plasma Propulsion (EPPP) system, specifically the GABRIEL framework, as a high-performance solution for human interplanetary exploration and asteroid deflection. This 1999 report argues that utilizing plasma waves from small fission pulses offers superior thrust and specific impulse compared to conventional chemical or nuclear thermal technologies. The authors conclude that EPPP provides a feasible path for ambitious 21st-century space missions using well-understood physics and existing materials.
Analysis Confidence: High
ST_CODE: 605FB3

System Metadata

Source ID

DOC-20000021

Process Date

8/9/2026

Integrity Hash

SHA256-ancyx3szp1...

Indexer Status

COMPLETE

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Full Transcript

Transcript

Page 1 of 3

INTRODUCTION

External Pulsed Plasma Propulsion And its Potential for the Near Future J. A. Bonometti, P. J. Morton and G. R. Schmidt NASA MSFC, TD40 Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama, 35812 Joe. Bonometti@,n,,msfc.nasa.~ov/ (256) 544-4019 1 Fax: (256) 544-5926 Phillip. [email protected].~ov/ (256) 544-46 13 / Fax: (256) 544-5926 Georee. Schmidt@,msfc.nasa.rtov/ (256) 544-6055 / Fax: (256) 544-5926

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What is this document?
Researchers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center propose the External Pulsed Plasma Propulsion (EPPP) system, specifically the GABRIEL framework, as a high-performance solution for human interplanetary exploration and asteroid deflection. This 1999 report argues that utilizing plasma waves from sm...
Where is this document cited in the investigation?
This document is referenced in 8 places across the investigation: 6 Dossiers, 1 Glossary Terms, 1 Research Rounds. See the "Cited In" section below for the complete list of pages that reference this document.