BEP News
April 11, 2008:
Internal Revenue Service has granted American Institute of Beamed Energy Propulsion a status of Public Charity under Article 501 (c)(3) of Internal Revenue Code. The status is retroactive from August 01, 2007, i.e. the date when AIBEP was incorporated. This means that AIBEP is "qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code." For individual donors this includes:
- federal income tax deduction up to 50% of adjusted gross income on donations;
- complete federal estate tax exemptions on bequests;
- membership fees are tax deductible minus the services provided, see Members for details.
Corporate donors are eligible for tax deduction of up to 10% of annual taxable income on contributions to AIBEP.
March 2008:
A group of researchers from University of Tokyo, Institute of Laser Engineering (ILE), Osaka University, Nagoya University and Kobe University reported at 39th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (March 10-14, 2008, League City, Texas) that they have accelerated glass spheres of diameter 100 μm to speeds exceeding 10 km/s (possibly up to 15 km/s). The spheres were accelerated with GEKKO XII-HIPER laser, originally built at ILE for nuclear fusion studies. The spheres were used for impact vaporization experiments, addressing effects of meteorite impacts on planetary evolution. This is an example of unique application of laser propulsion, allowing accelerate macroscopic objects to planetary velocities that cannot be achieved by any other technical means. For a reference click here.
from communication with Wesley Swift, Jr., Raytheon Inc. / NASA Marshall SFC, USA
November 14, 2007:
Fifth ISBEP Award was received by Prof. Akihiro Sasoh of Nagoya University (on the picture). Prof. Sasoh has conducted a long-term research on LITA (laser-driven, in-tube accelerator), spanned over the years and evolved from gas and plasmadynamic simulations to actual design and in-lab flight demonstrations of LITA. The award was given in recognition of these studies. Recipients of past ISBEP awards are: Arthur Kantrowitz (2002); Leik N. Myrabo (2003); Anthony Pirri (2004); Claude R. Phipps (2005) and Franklin B. Mead, Jr., (Leadership Award, 2005).
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