NASA begrudgingly agrees microwave space thruster works

[Jerakl]

http://www.kitguru.net/channel/science/jon-martindale/nasa-begrudgingly-agrees-microwave-space-thruster-works/

 

 

Mr Shawyer actually built a working EMdrive several years ago, but due to its fantastical claims, it’s only recently been looked into with some seriousness. A Chinese team replicated his results last year and it clearly got NASA interested. Now that very space agency has performed the same experiment with its usual vigour and has found that it does indeed work, even if it isn’t quite sure how.

 

 

 

This could all end up being rubbished by further scrutiny of testing environment or unreplicable results, but if this RF thrust does prove capable, it will revolutionise space travel, especially for small-unmanned probes and satellites, which could be launched in far larger numbers without fuel aboard and on top of that, could operate far longer.

I think if 3 different times it has been replicated they may not have a problem with that.

 

 

Anyways, I thought this was interesting. Discuss!

 

 

Sorry if this is a double post, no one else had posted it yet so I figured "WHY NOT?"
 

[Misanthrope]

For a second I thought it said "Microwave space toaster" and thought yes! Finally astronauts can enjoy fresh delicious toast bread before it goes soggy and awful!

[The_Strict_Nein]

Pretty impressive

 

TL;DR for those who don't want to read the theory:

 

This engine uses electricity to produce Microwaves that "bounce around in a box" (paraphrasing). This bouncing results in momentum which drives the engine forward.

 

No fuel is required, only the ability to store electricity (So in theory fuel could be used to extend range by generating electricity, but a battery would also be good enough).

 

This is useful only in space as there is no resistance to motion, so you could move a satellite with only batteries

[silberdrachi]

Very interesting theory, but this is going to have to take a lot of testing. As well it isnt very quick so it will likely be used just like Ion thrusters.

[Khraft]

Pretty impressive

 

TL;DR for those who don't want to read the theory:

 

This engine uses electricity to produce Microwaves that "bounce around in a box" (paraphrasing). This bouncing results in momentum which drives the engine forward.

 

No fuel is required, only the ability to store electricity (So in theory fuel could be used to extend range by generating electricity, but a battery would also be good enough).

 

This is useful only in space as there is no resistance to motion, so you could move a satellite with only batteries

 

And put some solar panels on it and BAM, you've got a spacecraft that can run forever as long as there's starlight.

[Trik'Stari]

I'm still waiting for them to realize than Einstein was insane, and that FTL travel is indeed possible.

 

*waits patiently, although annoyed*

[flibberdipper]

Sounds cool. Wonder how well it will cook my food.

[btg0002]

so what I am hearing here is that if I take my 20 dollar microwave and super glue it to a spacesuit I can zip about in space......I'm in 

[Askew]

Sounds cool. Wonder how well it will cook my food.

 

Too well bro.