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emdriveDesigns for a device called a microwave thruster, which could power spacecraft without the need for propellant, have been proposed since the EmDrive of 2006, pictured here. While the engine follows the principles of relativity theory in converting electrical energy into force to produce thrust, it has been dismissed as impossible in practice since it defies the law of conservation of momentum. But a team from NASA have just successfully trialled their own version of the engine, so what are we to believe?1
spaceshuttle fuel cellsThe device is so interesting because it does away with the need for lugging along a fuel supply that is about equivalent in weight to the craft it is propelling.2
Space_Shuttle_Columbia_launchingUsing solar energy to generate the power to create the microwaves would mean the engine could continue indefinitelyl, at least until mechanical failure brought it to a halt. For now, however, NASA’s development doesn’t even provide enough thrust to propel a peanut through space, so there is still a way to go to scale up to a mission to Mars.3
