International School of Science, Tokyo

STEAM Summer School 2022 

Mission: Mars

Tokyo, Japan

August 2022

Highlights from the joint NASA working group

Highlights from the joint NASA working group

May 29, 2022 — Kevin Knuth and Christopher Altman featured in a forward-looking article on NASA's plans to work with a Congressionally-mandated interagency UAP Task Force on the investigation of UAP. Kevin H. Knuth, Associate Professor of Physics, University at Albany (SUNY), and former NASA research scientist stated:

“It's about time that scientists start taking this subject seriously, especially since there is a potential for paradigm-shifting implications. I would be very interested in knowing whether NASA astronauts have had any encounters with UAPs like US Navy pilots.”

Starlab veteran Christopher Altman, a NASA-trained Commercial Astronaut and Research Affiliate at the Harvard University Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian, commented on the NASA working group, stating:

“The development signals a refreshing sea change, a quantum leap forward—completely unprecedented in NASA's 65-year history addressing the phenomenon. We're entering into a new era of openness, transparency, and accountability that holds the potential to shed light on one of mankind's greatest enduring mysteries.”

Source : Liberation Times

Quantum Experiments in Space and Microgravity 

Gravitational Decoherence — The unique environment of space allows us to probe fundamental physics questions at the intersection of entanglement, gravity, and relativity. One example is to test how gravity affects quantum coherence by placing entangled particle pairs at different gravitational potentials in Earth orbit. The setup measures how rapidly quantum states decohere as a function of gravitational gradient. Implementation calls for a satellite constellation with precision-stabilized quantum sources, high-fidelity entanglement distribution across varying orbital altitudes, and ultra-sensitive interferometric detection systems. 

Relativistic Quantum Reference Frame Transformation — Exploit the relativistic effects experienced in different orbital reference frames to test the transformation properties of quantum states. By creating entangled particles that experience different proper times due to relativistic effects, we could probe fundamental questions about how quantum information transforms between reference frames. The experimental design would include highly eccentric orbital paths creating significant velocity differentials, synchronized atomic clocks with sub-femtosecond precision, and quantum state tomography capabilities for complete state reconstruction.

Spacetime Curvature Effects on Quantum Teleportation — How does spacetime curvature influences quantum teleportation protocols? By performing quantum teleportation between satellites in different gravitational potentials, we can observe how successfully quantum information traverses curved spacetime regions. Multiple satellites with quantum memories and processing capabilities can be combined with adaptive optics systems to maintain quantum channel fidelity and precision measurement of teleportation fidelities as a function of spacetime curvature. 

Casimir Effect Propulsion — Investigate the potential for the Casimir effect to be harnessed for propulsion. In the microgravity environment of space, even minute forces can produce measurable accelerations over time. The setup incorporates nanofabricated cavity structures with precisely controlled geometries, ultra-sensitive force measurement apparatus and long-duration experimental runs to accumulate detectable momentum change.  

Quantum Gravitational Waves — Entangled particles can act as sensors for gravitational waves. The phase relationship between entangled particles could be exquisitely sensitive to spacetime distortions, potentially offering higher sensitivity than current interferometric detectors. Implementation involves large-scale distribution of entangled particle pairs, quantum metrology techniques to extract signal from noise to correlate with existing gravitational wave detection networks. 

Relativistic Quantum Clock Synchronization — Quantum protocols for clock synchronization can be tested across relativistic reference frames. It could determine whether quantum entanglement provides advantages for establishing a universal time reference across large distances in space. Optical lattice atomic clocks with stability at the 10^-18 level combined with quantum entanglement distribution capabilities allows for precise modeling of relativistic effects on measurement outcomes. 

Gravitationally Modulated Entanglement — Entangled photon pairs can be exchanged between satellites in differing gravitational potentials (or between a satellite and a ground station) to study how gravitational time dilation or spacetime curvature affects entanglement correlations to verify whether relativistic effects introduce measurable decoherence or phase shifts, testing predictions from quantum field theory in curved spacetime.

Quantum Interferometry with Massive Particles — Deploy a space-borne matter-wave interferometer using cold atoms or nanoparticles to place massive particles in superposition over large distances to investigate the interplay between quantum superposition and gravitational fields, and probe decoherence mechanisms predicted by models of quantum gravity.  

Entangled Clock Networks — Develop an array of entangled atomic clocks distributed across space (on satellites or space stations) to measure gravitational redshift and time dilation effects with quantum-enhanced precision to test general relativity at quantum scales and explore whether entanglement can reduce uncertainties in gravitational measurements.

Space-Based Quantum Communication under Relativistic Conditions — Extend quantum key distribution (QKD) experiments to include relativistic corrections by having communication links between rapidly moving platforms or deep-space probes to examine if and how relativistic motion or varying gravitational potentials affect the fidelity and security of quantum communication protocols, with implications for both fundamental physics and secure space communications.

Holographic Noise and Quantum Gravity Probes — Harness highly sensitive quantum sensors (e.g., interferometers with entangled light) in a quiet, microgravity environment to search for signatures of holographic noise or other emergent phenomena predicted by some quantum gravity theories to provide experimental bounds or potential evidence for models where spacetime emerges from underlying quantum entanglement networks.

Quantum Vacuum Propulsion Experiments — Although secondary to the quantum entanglement focus, consider experiments that investigate dynamic Casimir effects or other quantum vacuum phenomena under space conditions to determine if energy extraction from vacuum fluctuations can be harnessed in microgravity to inform future breakthrough propulsion systems, linking quantum field effects with practical spacecraft propulsion.

Breakthrough Propulsion Research — Space‐based experiments further offer an ideal platform to revisit and extend Martin Tajmar’s findings at TU Dresden in studies of anomalous gravitometric time‐dilation. In a microgravity environment, one can minimize seismic, vibrational, and terrestrial gravitational noise and better isolate any subtle quantum‐gravity coupling effect with a cryogenic, high‐speed rotating superconducting assembly coupled with ultra‐stable clocks and quantum gravimeters. Tajmar's research suggests that rapidly rotating superconductors may produce anomalous gravitomagnetic fields and possible frame-dragging effects that exceed predictions from general relativity by several orders of magnitude. His work with niobium rings, YBCO discs, and other superconducting materials indicated potential gravitometric effects when these materials transition through their critical temperature while rotating at high speeds. 

Microgravity Superconductor Frame-Dragging — Leverage the microgravity environment to eliminate terrestrial vibration and gravitational interference that complicates Tajmar's lab-based experiments via precision-mounted superconducting rings rotated at varying speeds in orbit, fiber-optic gyroscopes and atom interferometers positioned at strategic distance, controlled thermal cycling through superconducting transition temperatures, and multi-axis accelerometers to detect minute gravitational anomalies. The space environment allows extended experimental runs to be conducted without the need to compensate for Earth's gravitational gradient, potentially revealing subtle effects masked in terrestrial settings.

Cooper Pair Mass Anomaly — Test Tajmar's hypothesis that Cooper pairs in rotating superconductors may exhibit anomalous inertial properties. The setup would incorporate multiple superconducting samples with different Cooper pair densities, rapid spin-up and spin-down capabilities in vacuum condition, quantum Hall effect sensors to detect minute magnetic field variations, and laser interferometry systems to measure space-time distortions at picometer scales. Conducting this experiment in Earth orbit would eliminate concerns about ground loops and electromagnetic interference that plague terrestrial versions.

Superconductor-Enhanced Gravitational Wave Detection — Building on both Tajmar's work and gravitational wave physics, we aim to investigate whether rotating superconductors could amplify gravitational wave signals through their proposed gravitomagnetic amplification properties by leveraging large superconducting discs maintained at transition temperatures, variable rotation rates to establish resonance conditions, quantum-limited displacement sensors arranged in orthogonal configuration, and correlation capabilities with Earth-based gravitational wave detectors. This approach may enable detection of higher-frequency gravitational waves beyond the range of current observatories.

Mach’s Principle Using Rotating Superconductors — This experiment would test Tajmar's suggestion that observed effects might be connected to Mach's principle regarding the origin of inertia. The space-based implementation would incorporate isolated superconducting rotors with precise attitude control, multiple rotation axes to test for anisotropic effects relative to distant stars, long-duration measurements to account for orbital position relative to galactic center, and variable temperature control to measure effect strength as a function of superconductive state. This could provide fundamental insights into the relationship between quantum properties and large-scale cosmic structure.

Rotating Superconductor as a Gravimeter Clock — A superconducting disk or ring in a cryogenic, low‐vibration module can be spun at high angular velocities then surrounded the superconductor with an array of high‐precision atomic (or optical lattice) clocks and sensitive quantum gravimeters (or atom interferometers). By comparing clock rates and local gravitational accelerations at different positions relative to the rotating body, one could detect any anomalous time dilation or gravitomagnetic fields that deviate from classical predictions. 

Quantum Gravity and Differential Time Dilation — Two identical ultra‐stable clocks are mounted: one very close to a rapidly rotating superconductor and the other placed at a controlled distance. Over time, any extra gravitometric time dilation predicted by Tajmar’s work beyond standard relativistic effects would appear as a measurable offset between the clocks. The microgravity conditions eliminate many confounding influences present on Earth, and long integration times in orbit would allow sub–nanosecond shifts to be resolved.

Interferometric Probe of Local Spacetime Distortions — Integrating a rotating superconducting apparatus with a laser interferometer designed to detect minute distortions in the local spacetime metric, any anomalous gravitomagnetic field generated by the rotating superconductor should alter the phase of the laser beams traversing paths that encircle the device. Such experiment can quantify both the strength and spatial variation of the anomalous field.

The principal advantage of conducting experiments in space is the elimination of Earth's gravitational interference and seismic noise. A staged approach will begin with suborbital flights to test equipment functionality, followed by deployment on the ISS or dedicated free-flying platforms for more controlled experimental conditions.The pristine environment of microgravity and thermal stability available in space allows for high quality tests of anomalous gravitometric time‐dilation such as that reported in Tajmar’s terrestrial experiments. Such experiments could provide critical insight into whether superconducting quantum materials interact with gravity in a fundamentally new way. 

The reduced interference and ability to sustain extended observation times in orbit make space the ideal laboratory to confirm or refute these provocative results. Each of these proposals integrates aspects of quantum mechanics with gravitational and relativistic effects—capitalizing on the advantages of the space environment to test theories at regimes unattainable on Earth. They also pave the way toward technologies that might eventually contribute to advanced spacecraft propulsion or quantum-enhanced sensors for deep-space exploration.