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New Physics or Complicated Error?
About three months ago I wrote a blog entry about NASA's investigation of an EM drive that produced results that seemed to contradict conservation of momentum.
NASA's Investigation Into EM Drives - What if?
Yesterday, Martin Tajmar, professor and chair for Space Systems at the Dresden University of Technology, presented experimental results confirming earlier results from NASA on EM drive propulsion at the American Institute for Aeronautics' Propulsion and Energy Forum in Orlando.
Here is an article regarding that new research:
Scientists Confirm "Impossible" EM Drive Propulsion
Here is another article with exactly the same facts:
No, German Scientists Have Not Confirmed the "Impossible" EM Drive
The Truth is Somewhere In Between
What the German scientists have done is reproduce results (NASA's results). Truly, nothing is ever completely confirmed in science, but that doesn't mean that reproduced results are unimportant. Sure, the first article is a bit overzealous in its euphoria; I would say most physicists would agree this propulsion is still most likely some weird noise side effect. However, the second article is definitely overzealous in its condemnation. NASA and the Dresden University of Technology are both well regarded institutions. Results have been reproduced. Certainly this suggests the EM drive should be tested further. Scientists shouldn't ignore something because it "shouldn't exist", especially when results are reproduced.
The consequences of an EM drive would be immense for space travel. Certainly look into it if you're interested. I still personally believe that this is most likely some sort of noise effect. I hope I'm wrong. Still, it is an interesting story worth watching.
-R
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