[CraigS]

Small quantities of antimatter have enormous potential in a variety of space, medical, and sensing applications. In particular, it has been suggested that tens of nanograms to micrograms of antiprotons can be used to catalyze nuclear reactions and propel spacecraft to velocities up to 100 km/sec. This is well beyond the capability of traditional chemical propellants and opens up new exciting options for space exploration.

Larger supplies of antiprotons would eventually enable spacecraft capable of relativistic velocities. The revolutionary potential of this technology is due to the fact that antiparticles release an enormous amount of energy when they come into contact with regular matter. The energy density is two to three orders of magnitude higher than nuclear reactions and nearly ten orders of magnitude greater than the best chemical propellants used in spacecraft such as the space shuttle.

Cheers