Non-Newtonian reactionless drives have been a staple in science fiction, and the goal to make space travel truly practical. Probably the most famous was the "Dean Drive" which was a purely mechanical attempt. The thrust claimed has always turned out to be some quirk, usually obvious after the fact, in the measurement process. (Recall that the data showing faster than light particles at CERN was traced to a faulty cable connection.) I have no doubt that will turn out to be the case here as well. Some of the science blogs are already working through some of the possibilities.
Of course, I would like nothing better than to be proved wrong. A constant .05 g acceleration makes the solar system, in point of time, the size the earth was in the 16th century. (If I remember a late night bull session in graduate school correctly.)
73s,
Alan WA4SCA
<-----Original Message----- <From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Robert McGwier <Sent: Monday, August 04, 2014 5:55 PM <To: amsat bb <Subject: [amsat-bb] NO EJECTION MASS Propulsion < <I hope they aren't wrong because they clearly don't understand how it <works!!! < <http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20140006052 < <Bob <N4HY < < < <-- <Bob McGwier <Co-Owner and Technical Director, Federated Wireless, LLC <Professor Virginia Tech <Senior Member IEEE, Facebook: N4HYBob, ARS: N4HY <Faculty Advisor Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Assn. (K4KDJ) <_______________________________________________ <Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. <Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! <Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb