Consulting scientist, future technologist, and author of science and science fiction
who speculated about unusual forms of extraterrestrial life and proposed several
novel interstellar propulsion systems. The author of Dragon's
Egg (1980) and Starquake! (1985), about
life on a neutron star (see gravitational
life), he explored the idea of using antiproton annihilation and
laser sails for interstellar
travel. Together with Robert P. Hoyt, he also developed the concept of using
space tethers for powering orbital and interplanetary missions.
Forward obtained
a B.S. in physics from the University of Maryland (1954), an M.S. in applied physics
from the University of California, Los Angeles (1955), and a Ph.D. in gravitational
physics from the University of Maryland (1965). From 1956 to 1987, he worked at
Hughes Aircraft Company Corporate Research Laboratories in Malibu, California,
and since 1962 has also ran his own consulting company devoted to investigating
new energy sources and propulsion concepts.
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