Home
Science
Science News
Nasa Unveils Novel Space Engine Requiring No Propellant

Nasa Unveils Novel Space Engine Requiring No Propellant

By Indo Asian News Service | Updated: 4 August 2014 12:36 IST

Click Here to Add Gadgets360 As A Trusted Source

In what could be a game changer in space exploration, Nasa has successfully tested a "microwave thruster system" that requires no propellant to generate thrust.

The engine appears to produce propulsion through electricity and nothing else.

In a test paper, Nasa scientists said they recorded about 30-50 micro-Newtons (mN) of thrust from an electrical propulsion test article, harnessing subatomic quantum particles.

Nasa Discussion

Explore More...

Testing was performed on a low-thrust torsion pendulum that is capable of detecting force at a single-digit micronewton level, within a stainless steel vacuum chamber with the door closed but at ambient atmospheric pressure.

This means that Nasa may be able to create an inexpensive low-thrust, long-term technology with virtually no cost.

The discovery can also reduce the cost of maintaining orbital stability of satellites and interstellar travel.

"This unique electric propulsion device is producing a force not attributable to any electromagnetic phenomenon, and is potentially interacting with quantum vacuum virtual plasma," Nasa said in the test paper.

The US space agency now plan to run further tests to validate its findings.

Comments

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.