Fly by light
The UK govt. has funded research by Roger Shawyer to develop an electromagnetic drive. Microwaves trapped inside an ice-cream cone shaped cavity resonate and exert a greater force on the larger end than the small, due to radiation pressure and relativistic effects. It just needs a power supply for the magnetron, but has no moving parts or fuel. Apparently it works, and has produced thrust 100 times greater than what Cosmos 1 could achieve. The USAF and NASA are interested. At the moment, it is only suitable for spacecraft propulsion as a replacement for the ion drive ( of Dr. Spock fame!) By using superconducting materials for the cavity, however, the thrust could be dramatically increased and used for terrestrial purposes, e.g. powered flight.
Last edited by Re-entry; 16th October 2006 at 05:32.