5 ms·
> Isn't it just the reverse of a solar sail to send out the photons yourself rather than catching them? No, that'd be the case if it were open but it isn't. As
by IanCal 12y ago
> Isn't it just the reverse of a solar sail to send out the photons yourself rather than catching them?
No, that'd be the case if it were open but it isn't. As I understand it, it's an entirely closed system. That's what's controversial, there's nothing coming out of this "thruster", not even photons.
There's an image on page 3: http://www.emdrive.com/yang-juan-paper-2012.pdf http://www.emdrive.com/yang-juan-paper-2012.pdf
(disclaimer, I only have a hazy understanding of what this is supposed to be)
- davorak 12y ago> As I understand it, it's an entirely closed system. You got the gist correct. The microwaves are supposed to be completely contained.
- Gravityloss 12y agoWouldn't it be relatively straightforward to repeat the Chinese test in a garage? We're talking a whopping 70 millinewtons here, so equivalent to the weight of 7 grams. Some shrews are lighter than that. Microwave science has this strange aura, since the stuff that happens in cavities etc is not exactly obvious at first sight. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavity_magnetron http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavity_magnetron
- leishulang 12y agosorry to disappoint you, but it's actually 30~50 micronewtons, which is only 0.04g.
- leishulang 12y agoI checked again. Some insider said the Chinese machine does produce 80 millinewtons, but it's less efficient than the NASA one since they take way more power input.