NASA to build a near-Light Speed interstellar drive? (science video)
The Angry Astronaut thought the Mach Effect Thruster was voodoo science for years. However, he has since altered his mind. NASA concurs. In this science video, learn why.
The Mach Effect Thruster (MET) is a proposed propulsion system that uses a phenomenon known as the “Mach effect” to generate thrust. The Mach effect is a theoretical effect that suggests that a rapidly varying gravity field can create a small amount of thrust. The MET would use this effect to generate thrust with no fuel, which would make it a potentially revolutionary propulsion system.
The concept of the MET was first proposed by physicist James Woodward in the 1980s, but it has yet to be showed in practice. Despite this, some scientists and engineers continue to work on the development of a functioning MET.
One of the major advantages of a MET is that it would be a “fuel-free” propulsion system, which would eliminate the need to carry fuel on board a spacecraft. This would reduce the weight and cost of spacecraft, and would allow them to travel much farther and faster than is currently possible.
Another advantage of the MET is that we could use it for both deep space exploration and interplanetary travel. Since it does not require the carrying of large amounts of fuel, it would make it possible to travel to distant planets and stars, and even to other galaxies, with relatively low energy cost.
If we developed a functioning MET, it would likely have a profound impact on space travel, as it would enable humanity to explore the cosmos in ways that are currently not possible. This would revolutionize space exploration, and would open up new possibilities for scientific discoveries, commercial space travel and the colonization of other planets.
While a MET would have many advantages, it’s still a theoretical propulsion system and there are many technical challenges that would need to be overcome before we could use it in practice. The theory and experiments behind the Mach effect are not yet widely accepted in the scientific community, and more research needs to be done in order to show the effect experimentally and understand how it could be used as a propulsion system.
The Mach Effect Thruster is a theoretical propulsion system that could revolutionize space travel, making it possible to explore the cosmos in ways that are currently not possible. While we have not yet showed it in practice, it is an intriguing concept, and the idea of a fuel-free propulsion system is a topic of ongoing research. The Mach effect and the Mach Effect Thruster are exciting topics for scientists and researchers, but as of now it’s still in a theoretical stage.
