Basic question: Is ionization of air possible to sufficient extent with Tesla coils, etc. to produce a conductive low temperature plasma that can be induced to flow by the use of a non-stationary magnetic field.
Suppose this ionized gas will be in a large tube (but not too large?), and coils are affixed on the circumference of the tube. Magnetic pulses are directed to each coil in sequence. Timing would obviously need to be worked out.
Secondary question is, how much thrust in air could be possible at various altitudes.
Yes, this is yet another hare-brained scheme, the rest of the rabbits in the warren were too busy to talk this afternoon.
Based on the Lorentz force, MHD thrusters, Hall effect thrusters, and the like, I think this thing is a dog that won't hunt, does everyone agree? What if combined with high temperature combustion of a type that enhances ionization by many orders of magnitude?
Just having a brain storm on an exo-planet right now, probably dodging glass and/or steel rain on a really hot one.
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