A few years ago, Technology Strategic Planning, Inc., a technology consulting firm, was performing competitive research for a client that makes chemical propulsion systems (engines) for space...

A few years ago, Technology Strategic Planning, Inc., a technology consulting firm, was performing competitive research for a client that makes chemical propulsion systems (engines) for space vehicles. NASA’s mission to Mars was the subject of the research. Instead of investigating future advances in chemical technologies, the consultant examined large companies that were pursuing any kinds of propulsion systems. They found Mitsubishi working on antimatter technology. Antimatter subatomic particles are created in particle accelerators and can be trapped and stored. Recombining antimatter with matter releases a great deal of energy. Competition from this unexpected technology achieved higher credibility when Technology Strategic Planning calculated the amount of antimatter produced in the world’s particle accelerators. It would reach the amount needed for a round trip to Mars about the year 2016, the same time as NASA had scheduled for the Mars mission.