A fully functional EM drive was revealed in a video released by state media by researchers at the Chinese Space Agency. EM drive is a type of radio frequency resonant also known as a cavity thruster. It is a propulsion system that can generate thrust without the need for propellant. It bounces the microwave back and forth and creates an electromagnetic force that powers the device.
If EM drive proves to be real, it could revolutionize space travel. Space travel will be possible faster and more efficiently without the need for traditional propellants. This will open up new possibilities for exploration and reduce costs associated with spaceflight.
However, China’s announcement has raised doubts among experts. First, a research paper discusses the potential success of the machine from a theoretical standpoint. Second, China claims that the EM drive will be 100% effective. However, doubts have been expressed about the validity of the released NASA paper. The reason for doubt is that the EM drive seems to violate Newton’s third law of motion. The third law states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. If the EM drive defies this fundamental law of physics, it will challenge our understanding of the universe.
It is essential to clarify that the EM drive is not the same as the warp drive. Warp drive is a concept often depicted in science fiction, enabling faster-than-light travel. However, according to the theory of relativity and our current understanding, travelling faster than the speed of light is considered impossible.
However, EM drives have the potential to revolutionize the physics and usher in a new era of space travel. Advances in propulsion technology offer hope for the future. A trip can be shortened to 80 days using SpaceX’s Interplanetary Transport System. Musk aims to further reduce the trip to just 30 days.