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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 10:36 am
by Leisher
I feel like this is a prank of some sort because this should be massive news.
NASA confirms EM Drive works.
The moon in 4 days.
Mars in 70.
Pluto in 18 months.
Seriously, shouldn't this be the top story everywhere? Or are they waiting for the peer reviews and confirmation?
This might be the real life Zefram Cochrane.
Edited By Leisher on 1438180584
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 10:40 am
by Malcolm
Or are they waiting for the peer reviews and confirmation?
However scientists still have no idea how it actually works. Nasa suggested that it could have something to do with the technology manipulating subatomic particles which constantly pop in and out of existence in empty space.
Yes. Lots. I remember when the two dudes claimed they had confirmed cold fusion back in the '80s. This is also a tiny prototype tested out in a lab environment for the first time by a reputable scientist.
Edited By Malcolm on 1438181012
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 10:44 am
by Leisher
I hope this one works out because it'd be a huge step forward for mankind.
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 10:56 am
by Malcolm
I'd prefer they figure out the energy mechanism and use the concept in a smaller engine for a power station or a car.
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 11:06 am
by Troy
I feel like I got excited about this a few months ago. It's exciting, but still theoretical as far as applications in space.
It and the Ion thrusters are very cool though. Saving up my money for my Mars summer vacation in 2040
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 11:19 am
by Vince
Right now they have only proven that the theory appears to work. I liken this at this time to be like when IBM was able to manipulate atoms like the Star Trek replicator a few years back. It worked, but it had to happen near absolute zero, so it was kind of limited in practical application at this time. Promising at this point, but need to see a practical working prototype before we start loading up the spaceship.
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 11:56 am
by TPRJones
So far all the measurements they've done are ultra low power experiments with "thrust" measured in picoNewtons. At that level of effect it is in no way conclusive. It's certainly possible that out fundamental understanding of the nature of energy and matter are completely wrong and need to be reworked. But it's still also possible that some other factor that has been overlooked is causing the apparent thrust.
That's why the first set of experiments were pretty much ignored; they weren't done in vacuum and when you are dealing with picoNewtons the upwelling of air heated by a patch of floor that is two degrees warmer than the rest of the room is enough to cause the measured thrust.
When they start putting some real power to this thing and getting real results then I will be interested. And I have to wonder why no one has done so yet.
Edited By TPRJones on 1438185430
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 12:00 pm
by GORDON
The hard part is still getting stuff out of Earth's gravity well.