Two Scientists Are Building a Real Star Trek 'Impulse Engine'
Bloomberg Originals・12 minutes read
Interstellar travel may become possible with the Mach Effect Gravity Assist Drive (MEGA drive), which aims to utilize gravitational fields for propulsion using controversial physics principles. Jim Woodward's dedicated work on the MEGA drive, funded by NASA, shows promising progress in enhancing thrust and could revolutionize space travel if conclusive proof can be obtained.
Insights
- The Mach Effect Gravity Assist Drive (MEGA drive) proposes a revolutionary method for interstellar travel by utilizing gravitational fields for propulsion, challenging the limitations of conventional rocket technology that would take thousands of years to reach the nearest star.
- Jim Woodward's dedication to developing the MEGA drive, along with recent NASA funding and observed progress in enhancing thrust, showcases the potential for this device to revolutionize space travel, despite facing controversy and skepticism that necessitates further independent study for validation.
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Recent questions
Can conventional rockets reach the nearest star?
No
How does the Mach Effect Gravity Assist Drive work?
By vibrating piezoelectric crystals
Who is funding the development of the MEGA drive?
NASA
What is the potential impact of the MEGA drive on space travel?
Revolutionize space travel
Is there conclusive proof of the MEGA drive's capabilities?
No
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Summary
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Revolutionizing Interstellar Travel: The MEGA Drive
- Conventional rockets would take 15,000-16,000 years to reach the nearest star, making interstellar travel impossible with current technology.
- The Mach Effect Gravity Assist Drive (MEGA drive) aims to enable interstellar travel by utilizing gravitational fields for propulsion.
- The MEGA drive operates on controversial physics principles, including Mach's principle, which suggests distant matter influences nearby objects.
- The device functions by vibrating piezoelectric crystals to tap into the universe's gravitational potential, causing mass changes for propulsion.
- Jim Woodward has dedicated over 30 years to developing the MEGA drive, with recent improvements funded by NASA's NIAC grants.
- The team has enhanced the device's thrust by hanging it from a pendulum and observed visible movements, indicating progress.
- The MEGA drive's force generation is compared to dropping a few grams of weight, with potential for arrays of smaller drives powered by nuclear batteries for interstellar travel.
- NASA is funding an independent study of the MEGA drive due to controversy and skepticism surrounding its claims.
- The device's ability to vary inertial mass could revolutionize space travel, but conclusive proof remains challenging due to the nature of the claims.
- Despite uncertainties, the team remains optimistic about the MEGA drive's potential, with hopes of testing it on a CubeSat in space to validate its capabilities.
