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#1 2001-09-08 15:33:42

saxifrage
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From: Springfield, Missouri, USA
Registered: 2001-09-07
Posts: 8
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Re: NASA's "Impulse Engine"

The NASA Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project (http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/bpp/) is researching a theoretical propulsion system that uses no propellant whatsoever. It is based upon what may be a previously unnoticed "loophole" in Mach's Principle.

Mach's Principle accounts for inertial reaction forces resulting from the gravitational attraction of all matter in the universe to an accelerating object. James Woodward has shown that in addition to the acceleration dependent term that provides the basis for inertia, there is a time-dependent transient term. This term predicts that an object with a time-varying energy density will have a non-negligible variation in rest mass which depends on the second time-derivative of the energy.

It would work by vibrating a charging capacitor with a piezoelectric driver, causing a mass variation. Such a mass variation, even if it is small, has interesting implications for propulsion. Acceleration appropriately phased with the mass variations might produce a net unidirectional force relative to the surrounding mass of the universe.  A spacecraft engine utilizing this principle would not require propellant, thus achieving the first mission of the Breakthrough Propulsion Physics project.  Even if the mass variation itself cannot lead to a propulsive effect, such a Machian mass variation is worth investigating.

sax

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#2 2001-09-08 16:08:48

John Creighton
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
Registered: 2001-09-04
Posts: 2,401
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Re: NASA's "Impulse Engine"

Your explanation is lacking:

This term predicts that an object with a time-varying energy density will have a non-negligible variation in rest mass which depends on the second time-derivative of the energy.

The above quote has nothing to do with propulsion. It just says if the energy in an object varies, the mas will. Anyway, if such a device could be made it would seem magical to people of today. Best of luck with them.


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#3 2001-09-10 07:21:28

saxifrage
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From: Springfield, Missouri, USA
Registered: 2001-09-07
Posts: 8
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Re: NASA's "Impulse Engine"

Of course I did not intend my brief summary of this theorized phonomenon to be complete. For more detailed information that you may not find "lacking" please follow the link above and read the detailed information.

If the information there is insufficient, please see these links:

James F. Woodward: Mach's Principle Weight Reduction = Propellantless Propulsion:
http://www.inetarena.com/~noetic/pls/woodward.html

The Woodward Effect:
http://www.inetarena.com/~noetic/pls/gr … l#woodward

Dr. James Woodward's home page at Cal State:
http://chaos.fullerton.edu/Woodward.html

Mach's Principle and Impulse Engines: Toward a Viable Physics of Star Trek?:
http://chaos.fullerton.edu/~jimw/nasa-pap/

Google Search for relevant Web Pages:
http://www.google.com/search?q=James+Wo … +Principle

I am a skeptic at heart. But Mr. Woodward's explanation of inertia is elegant and attractive. If he is right, then this may be a revolutionary propulsion system that will open up the Solar System to humanity.

sax

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#4 2002-02-27 01:34:03

Shaun Barrett
Member
From: Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Registered: 2001-12-28
Posts: 2,843

Re: NASA's "Impulse Engine"

This looks like the "gravito-magnetic" thing: Another potentially revolutionary means of propulsion.
   I read one or two of the suggested pieces and noted that they dated back to 97/98. To save me ploughing through the literature, does anyone know of more recent stuff about this topic?
   It always makes me suspicious that something has gone wrong with these new ideas if 3 or 4 years pass by without word of any advances.
   Is this still a "live" topic or has it quietly died a natural death?
                                           :0


The word 'aerobics' came about when the gym instructors got together and said: If we're going to charge $10 an hour, we can't call it Jumping Up and Down.   - Rita Rudner

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#5 2003-10-01 04:49:42

alokmohan
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From: india
Registered: 2003-09-14
Posts: 169

Re: NASA's "Impulse Engine"

Too mant novel ideas.We want something possible to execute.

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#6 2003-10-12 07:21:27

Spider-Man
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From: Pennsylvania
Registered: 2003-08-20
Posts: 163
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Re: NASA's "Impulse Engine"

And no wonder, Shaun:

NEWS (January 31, 2003):  There is no funding available for the Breakthrough Propulsion Physics (BPP) Project.

What an epitaph!

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#7 2003-10-12 07:50:52

Shaun Barrett
Member
From: Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Registered: 2001-12-28
Posts: 2,843

Re: NASA's "Impulse Engine"

Just as I thought!
    It seems they pulled the plug on the Podkletnov device Ron Koczor was investigating, too.

    Hmmm! I think I'd better drop this subject before I reach for my conspiracy-theorist hat ... or develop high blood pressure .. OR BOTH !!
                                          :angry:


The word 'aerobics' came about when the gym instructors got together and said: If we're going to charge $10 an hour, we can't call it Jumping Up and Down.   - Rita Rudner

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