Challenge register / 01
The hard problems.
In the right order.
Twenty major research, engineering and company-building challenges. Establish the mechanism before optimizing the vehicle.
Define a force law and an observable
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.
Proposed owner: Theory lead · Inputs: impact 5/5, dependency 5/5, unresolvedness 5/5
Close the total momentum balance
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.
Proposed owner: Theory + metrology · Inputs: impact 5/5, dependency 5/5, unresolvedness 5/5
Exclude thermal, magnetic and mechanical artifacts
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.
Proposed owner: Experimental lead · Inputs: impact 5/5, dependency 5/5, unresolvedness 4/5
Resolve the predicted force with traceable uncertainty
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.
Proposed owner: Metrology lead · Inputs: impact 5/5, dependency 4/5, unresolvedness 5/5
Reproduce the effect across independent runs
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.
Proposed owner: Independent reviewer · Inputs: impact 5/5, dependency 4/5, unresolvedness 4/5
Distinguish ordinary coupling from new physics
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.
Proposed owner: Analysis lead · Inputs: impact 5/5, dependency 4/5, unresolvedness 3/5
Establish whole-system energy and heat flow
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.
Proposed owner: Power + thermal engineer · Inputs: impact 5/5, dependency 3/5, unresolvedness 4/5
Demonstrate useful scaling
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.
Proposed owner: Systems lead · Inputs: impact 5/5, dependency 3/5, unresolvedness 3/5
Characterize real material response
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.
Proposed owner: Materials lead · Inputs: impact 4/5, dependency 4/5, unresolvedness 4/5
Keep a driven system stable
A moving, heated or driven structure needs a quantitatively stable operating region.
Gate: Model coupled dynamics and measure transfer functions, control margins and transients.
Proposed owner: Controls lead · Inputs: impact 4/5, dependency 4/5, unresolvedness 3/5
Separate power-source development from force testing
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.
Proposed owner: Systems lead · Inputs: impact 4/5, dependency 3/5, unresolvedness 4/5
Understand environment dependence
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.
Proposed owner: Mission analyst · Inputs: impact 4/5, dependency 3/5, unresolvedness 3/5
Demonstrate structural life and manufacturability
Small gaps, thin membranes and patterned surfaces bring fatigue, contamination and yield constraints.
Gate: Qualify durability, tolerances and repeatable fabrication under the proposed loading.
Proposed owner: Mechanical + materials · Inputs: impact 4/5, dependency 3/5, unresolvedness 2/5
Preserve data and analysis integrity
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.
Proposed owner: Data steward · Inputs: impact 4/5, dependency 2/5, unresolvedness 3/5
Recruit the required technical capability
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.
Proposed owner: Founder · Inputs: impact 4/5, dependency 2/5, unresolvedness 2/5
Select an achievable first product
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.
Proposed owner: Commercial lead · Inputs: impact 3/5, dependency 3/5, unresolvedness 3/5
Secure capital against evidence gates
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.
Proposed owner: Founder + finance · Inputs: impact 3/5, dependency 3/5, unresolvedness 2/5
Clarify ownership, prior art and rights
Published science and independent contributions are not automatically company-owned inventions.
Gate: Document contributors, licenses, disclosures and implementation-specific ownership with qualified counsel.
Proposed owner: Founder + counsel · Inputs: impact 3/5, dependency 2/5, unresolvedness 3/5
Qualify experimental and operational safety
Vacuum, optical, electrical and mechanical hazards depend on the selected apparatus.
Gate: Complete an apparatus-specific hazard review and interlocks before energizing equipment.
Proposed owner: Experimental lead · Inputs: impact 3/5, dependency 2/5, unresolvedness 2/5
Plan the eventual operating and regulatory pathway
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.
Proposed owner: Program lead + counsel · Inputs: impact 3/5, dependency 2/5, unresolvedness 1/5
This ranking is Metric Flight’s proposed program judgment as of 19 October 2026. Role labels are proposed responsibilities.