
This paper develops a conservation-consistent framework for warp-bubble spacetimes within classical General Relativity. Rather than assuming exotic propulsion mechanisms or reactionless motion, the analysis treats propulsion, stability, and feasibility as internal mathematical constraints imposed by covariant conservation, distributional geometry, and boundary dynamics.Warp bubbles are modeled as Omega-isolated regions bounded by timelike worldtubes and treated as distributional solutions of the Einstein equations with generalized junction conditions. A total stress tensor is defined that preserves exact covariant conservation, allowing a clean separation between geometric curvature requirements and the sectors responsible for supplying them.A central result is a control-volume momentum theorem showing that any acceleration of a warp bubble is possible only through explicit boundary momentum flux. Reactionless or self-accelerating solutions are excluded by construction. Thrust is reinterpreted as controlled momentum export across the bubble wall, independent of coordinate choice or gauge.For a broad class of conformal warp geometries, explicit Einstein-tensor expressions and null-energy-condition diagnostics are derived, yielding thin-wall scaling laws that convert qualitative exotic-matter discussions into quantitative inequality constraints. Feasibility is shown to be governed by three independent constraint families: quantum-inequality bounds acting only on the ordinary stress sector, curvature and tidal limits imposed by geometry and observer safety, and momentum-flux constraints that restrict admissible acceleration profiles.A coordinate-invariant spectral criterion is introduced to diagnose genuine isolation of the bubble interior and its stability under actuation, providing a falsifiable test for candidate metrics. The framework makes success and failure sharply decidable and treats warp bubbles as well-defined mathematical objects subject to explicit conservation laws rather than speculative assumptions.This work is intended as a foundational, conservation-first model for analyzing localized spacetime propulsion within General Relativity. Engineering realization and specific energy-source proposals are deliberately separated and treated as external to the geometric framework.https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18014526
Distributional Geometry, General Relativity, ADM Formalism, Quantum Inequalities, Momentum Conservation, Spectral Stability, Energy Conditions, Mathematical physics, Warp Drive, FOS: Mathematics, Junction Conditions, Thin Shells, Warp Bubble, Mathematical Physics
Distributional Geometry, General Relativity, ADM Formalism, Quantum Inequalities, Momentum Conservation, Spectral Stability, Energy Conditions, Mathematical physics, Warp Drive, FOS: Mathematics, Junction Conditions, Thin Shells, Warp Bubble, Mathematical Physics
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 0 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
