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Thread: EMDrive

  1. #1

    EMDrive

    Even if you don’t keep up with developments in space propulsion technology, you’ve still probably heard about the EmDrive. You’ve probably seen headlines declaring it the key to interstellar travel, and claims that it will drastically reduce travel time across our solar system, making our dreams of people walking on other planets even more of a reality. There have even been claims that this highly controversial technology is the key to creating warp drives.

    These are bold claims, and as the great cosmologist and astrophysicist Carl Sagan once said, “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” With that in mind, we thought it’d be helpful to break down what we know about the enigmatic EmDrive, and whether it is, in fact, the key to mankind exploring the stars.

    So without further ado, here’s absolutely everything you need to know about the world’s most puzzling propulsion device.


    Read more: http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-te...#ixzz3z298pYyV


    Full article here: http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-te...m_term=1534128
    "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth"
    Sherlock Holmes

  2. #2
    If we are able to pinpoint the exact location of any unknown extra planets in our solar system, hopefully this could get a probe to them in a reasonable amount of time. But at distances of up to 1200 AU I'm not sure exactly what would constitute 'reasonable'

  3. #3
    Thanks for taking the time to post this for us Dragonfire.
    Nothing matters very much, and few things matter at all.
    -Arthur Balfour

  4. #4
    Lead Moderator calikid's Avatar
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    The lack of peer review they mention in the article is strange.
    Wonder if the EmDrive works TO GOOD.
    The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but
    progress. -- Joseph Joubert
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  5. #5
    This was discussed here:

    http://www.theoutpostforum.com/tof/s...hlight=EMDrive

    anyway,

    wrt the EM Drive...

    Some might recognize the Diagram on page 6 of (9) the link . . .

    http://www.emdrive.com/IAC14publishedpaper.pdf

    ...Some heavy reading there too...

  6. #6
    The EMDrive research is continuing apace, but there is a curious bit of explaination described here: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/6...rive-thruster/
    Personally I'm interested in seeing what happens with the current prototypes when the dielectric is introduced.

  7. #7
    More information is coming to light, and the NASA paper is being published after its peer preview. In the following article it is interesting to note that research from 10 years ago into such devices has been declassified in the UK, and that those devices are significantly more powerful than the NASA device at this time: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/emdrive-nas...t-know-1578716

    For a direct link to the EMdrive site, and the declassified papers please see here: http://www.emdrive.com/

  8. #8
    Lead Moderator calikid's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pontificator View Post
    More information is coming to light, and the NASA paper is being published after its peer preview. In the following article it is interesting to note that research from 10 years ago into such devices has been declassified in the UK, and that those devices are significantly more powerful than the NASA device at this time: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/emdrive-nas...t-know-1578716

    For a direct link to the EMdrive site, and the declassified papers please see here: http://www.emdrive.com/
    Nice of you to drop in Pontificator.

    Ten years later, and the info is released? Sounds like a good rule. Funny it has taken so long, on something that sounds promising.

    Let's see if I understand this.
    A normal spacecraft/rocket, expels ignited fuel out the BACK to propel the craft forward.
    Basic Newtonian physics, "opposite and equal reaction"

    But this new device places a magnatron/microwave generator at the bottom of the rocket, facing forward with a small diameter microwave emitter nozzle facing the FRONT of the craft.
    The microwaves travel some distance and hit a strike plate (located at the FRONT of the rocket) that is much wider in diameter.
    As the microwaves spread out (increased diameter), the force they generate when impacting the strike place is increased.
    Forward motion is obtained/measurable from this impact.

    Pretty unique idea (no propellant/fuel used), it will be interesting to see if the next phase can generate substantial thrust.

    Add note: I would not have expected the increased diameter of the microwave beam to act as a force multiplier. Learn something new everyday!
    The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but
    progress. -- Joseph Joubert
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  9. #9
    How long will it likely be before it can be used for space missions?
    My inner Mulder wants to believe, but my inner Scully remains skeptical.

  10. #10
    Lead Moderator calikid's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wally View Post
    How long will it likely be before it can be used for space missions?
    You are getting a little ahead of the curve, Wally.
    They have produced a small "proof of concept" device that has produced measurable positive results.

    The idea is that somebody sitting in the front seat of their car, can beat on the dashboard with a hammer to generate enough force to propel it forward.
    Speaking of which, from what I have seen/read, researchers do not currently possess a device large enough to power even a car, let alone a space craft.
    To answer your question I'd guesstimate, if all goes well, something on the order of decades before we see any spacecraft propulsion applications.
    The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but
    progress. -- Joseph Joubert
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