{ "scoring": "Priority = 10*impact + 6*dependency + 4*unresolvedness; inputs 1–5; editorial judgment, not probability", "reviewed_on": "2026-10-19", "challenges": [ { "title": "Define a force law and an observable", "impact": 5, "dependency": 5, "uncertainty": 5, "score": 100, "problem": "A name or field map does not specify a measurable interaction. Alpha 1 lacks a supplied dynamical model.", "gate": "Write variables, units, coupling, boundary conditions and one numerical prediction distinguishable from a conventional model.", "owner": "Theory lead" }, { "title": "Close the total momentum balance", "impact": 5, "dependency": 5, "uncertainty": 5, "score": 100, "problem": "A force on one component can be an internal exchange. The complete apparatus must include fields, radiation, supports and environment.", "gate": "Account for every momentum flux or storage term and identify the external partner, or specify the proposed departure to be tested.", "owner": "Theory + metrology" }, { "title": "Exclude thermal, magnetic and mechanical artifacts", "impact": 5, "dependency": 5, "uncertainty": 4, "score": 96, "problem": "Heating, cable torque, magnetic pickup, outgassing and vibration can mimic a small force.", "gate": "Use matched dissipation controls, orientation changes, independent calibration and logged environmental channels.", "owner": "Experimental lead" }, { "title": "Resolve the predicted force with traceable uncertainty", "impact": 5, "dependency": 4, "uncertainty": 5, "score": 94, "problem": "Sensor resolution is not measurement accuracy. Drift and calibration uncertainty can dominate the signal.", "gate": "Qualify the complete instrument across the predicted range before testing the candidate effect.", "owner": "Metrology lead" }, { "title": "Reproduce the effect across independent runs", "impact": 5, "dependency": 4, "uncertainty": 4, "score": 90, "problem": "Repeated samples within one drift sequence do not equal independent experiments.", "gate": "Freeze the protocol and analysis; repeat on separately prepared runs, then transfer the protocol for independent replication.", "owner": "Independent reviewer" }, { "title": "Distinguish ordinary coupling from new physics", "impact": 5, "dependency": 4, "uncertainty": 3, "score": 86, "problem": "A real force can arise from ordinary photons, plasma or external fields.", "gate": "Compare competing models and perturb the variables that distinguish them; report residual bounds.", "owner": "Analysis lead" }, { "title": "Establish whole-system energy and heat flow", "impact": 5, "dependency": 3, "uncertainty": 4, "score": 84, "problem": "An electrical response or local force does not determine the useful output of a complete system.", "gate": "Measure input energy, losses, radiation, stored energy and heat rejection over a declared operating cycle.", "owner": "Power + thermal engineer" }, { "title": "Demonstrate useful scaling", "impact": 5, "dependency": 3, "uncertainty": 3, "score": 80, "problem": "Nanoscale interaction strength does not predict vehicle acceleration. Array interactions and supporting mass matter.", "gate": "Validate a scaling law on multiple sizes with all support, power and cooling mass included.", "owner": "Systems lead" }, { "title": "Characterize real material response", "impact": 4, "dependency": 4, "uncertainty": 4, "score": 80, "problem": "Ideal conductors and chosen metamaterial patterns can depart sharply from fabricated devices.", "gate": "Measure relevant optical/electrical response, loss, roughness, temperature dependence and fabrication variation.", "owner": "Materials lead" }, { "title": "Keep a driven system stable", "impact": 4, "dependency": 4, "uncertainty": 3, "score": 76, "problem": "A moving, heated or driven structure needs a quantitatively stable operating region.", "gate": "Model coupled dynamics and measure transfer functions, control margins and transients.", "owner": "Controls lead" }, { "title": "Separate power-source development from force testing", "impact": 4, "dependency": 3, "uncertainty": 4, "score": 74, "problem": "Combining an unqualified living power system with an unqualified force mechanism makes causality difficult to resolve.", "gate": "Use a characterized conventional supply for the first force tests; evaluate Helios integration only after measured load and net-power requirements exist.", "owner": "Systems lead" }, { "title": "Understand environment dependence", "impact": 4, "dependency": 3, "uncertainty": 3, "score": 70, "problem": "A mechanism that uses a surface, plasma or planetary field may not work in deep space.", "gate": "Declare an operating envelope and test environmental dependencies explicitly.", "owner": "Mission analyst" }, { "title": "Demonstrate structural life and manufacturability", "impact": 4, "dependency": 3, "uncertainty": 2, "score": 66, "problem": "Small gaps, thin membranes and patterned surfaces bring fatigue, contamination and yield constraints.", "gate": "Qualify durability, tolerances and repeatable fabrication under the proposed loading.", "owner": "Mechanical + materials" }, { "title": "Preserve data and analysis integrity", "impact": 4, "dependency": 2, "uncertainty": 3, "score": 64, "problem": "Missing provenance, selective exclusions or changing processing can make a signal uninterpretable.", "gate": "Use versioned analysis, raw immutable exports, synchronized clocks, documented exclusions and an audit record.", "owner": "Data steward" }, { "title": "Recruit the required technical capability", "impact": 4, "dependency": 2, "uncertainty": 2, "score": 60, "problem": "The program requires specialist theory, precision measurement and engineering expertise.", "gate": "Assign accountable leads and external review before experimental sign-off. Roles listed here are needs, not existing appointments.", "owner": "Founder" }, { "title": "Select an achievable first product", "impact": 3, "dependency": 3, "uncertainty": 3, "score": 60, "problem": "A propulsion vision is not yet a customer deliverable.", "gate": "Validate a bounded instrumentation or modeling need with potential buyers and demonstrate that exact deliverable.", "owner": "Commercial lead" }, { "title": "Secure capital against evidence gates", "impact": 3, "dependency": 3, "uncertainty": 2, "score": 56, "problem": "Large speculative hardware commitments can outrun both knowledge and runway.", "gate": "Obtain scoped quotes and fund one decision gate at a time; do not use unverified breakthrough forecasts.", "owner": "Founder + finance" }, { "title": "Clarify ownership, prior art and rights", "impact": 3, "dependency": 2, "uncertainty": 3, "score": 54, "problem": "Published science and independent contributions are not automatically company-owned inventions.", "gate": "Document contributors, licenses, disclosures and implementation-specific ownership with qualified counsel.", "owner": "Founder + counsel" }, { "title": "Qualify experimental and operational safety", "impact": 3, "dependency": 2, "uncertainty": 2, "score": 50, "problem": "Vacuum, optical, electrical and mechanical hazards depend on the selected apparatus.", "gate": "Complete an apparatus-specific hazard review and interlocks before energizing equipment.", "owner": "Experimental lead" }, { "title": "Plan the eventual operating and regulatory pathway", "impact": 3, "dependency": 2, "uncertainty": 1, "score": 46, "problem": "Requirements depend on whether the actual product is a lab instrument, orbital hardware or an atmospheric vehicle.", "gate": "Choose the application first; obtain current jurisdiction-specific review before sale, launch or field operation.", "owner": "Program lead + counsel" } ] }