A new direction
for propulsion.

An experimental approach to propulsion through microwave-driven plasma.

A special exception to Newton’s third law of motion, not considered by Newton, was the absorption of a photon by a free electron moving with positive velocity relative to its absolute-space inertial frame of reference, the frame corresponding to the creation of the electron at rest (i.e. zero kinetic energy above its exact photon production energy). Absolute space conserves the mass-energy inventory of the universe. Conservation of energy and angular momentum of the photon and electron that absorbs the photon requires that the photon and its energy transition to the electron at an increased kinetic energy in the initial direction of travel. The transition is reactionless due to the object of reaction being spacetime that propagates the photon. This phenomenon called space drive provides a mechanism for a reactionless propulsion system.

The proposed system first establishes a directional flow of electrons in a plasma. Microwave photons are then absorbed by those electrons, increasing their directional kinetic energy. The electrons drag ions and the collisionally coupled neutral gas, producing a directed plasma flow and pressure.

A transducer converts that directed flow into lift. In the proposed system neutral gas is recirculated and part of the plasma energy is recovered electrically.

The long-term vision spans ocean, atmospheric and space travel.

Space Drive systems have the potential to provide continuous acceleration. The following are estimated flight times from origin to destination, assuming the vehicle accelerates continuously at 1g for the first half of the journey, rotates 180°, and then decelerates at 1g for the remaining half, arriving at the destination at rest.