propulsion
OK, WTF is NASA’s Humanity-Saving Ion Engine?
The NEXT-C thruster doesn’t use volatile fuel, looks like Iron Man’s repulsors, and is being tested to one day save humanity from an incoming asteroid.
Scientists Are Studying Using Supernovas as Fuel for Interstellar Travel
“If there are some other technological species that are more advanced than we are, then this could be a viable means of transportation for them."
NASA-Funded Solar Sail Uses Metamaterials to Generate More Power
The Advanced Diffractive MetaFilm Sailcraft could squeeze more energy out of light than traditional reflective sails.
Scientists Successfully Test an Air-Breathing Satellite Thruster
How to make atmospheric drag work for satellites, instead of against them.
China Is Testing Silent ‘Magnetic Drive’ Submarines to Evade the US Navy
The less noise a sub makes, the harder it is to detect on sonar.
Theoretical Physicists Are Getting Closer to Explaining How NASA’s ‘Impossible’ EmDrive Works
The EmDrive propulsion system might be able to take us to the stars, but first it must be reconciled with the laws of physics.
The Fact and Fiction of the NASA EmDrive Paper Leak
Mach effect pioneer James Woodward breaks down the significance of a leaked paper detailing the successful test run of NASA’s 'impossible engine.'
Engineers Stumble on a Whole New Method of Laser-Based Spacecraft Propulsion
Are graphene light-sponges the new solar sails?
NASA's Chief Technologist Says We're 'Halfway' to Getting Humans on Mars
It's going to take a lot of tech to get humans on the Red Planet.
Getting Toasted in the Supermarket Is Advised: Here's The Last Skeptik's "Propulsion"
White go-go boots, doing donuts, and generally wrecking shit.
A Brief, Depressing History of Solar Sails
NASA says it just wasted $21 million on what was to be the largest solar sail ever.