A team of researchers from Exodus Propulsion Technologies propulsion drives defy physics. The team led by NASA’s top expert in electrostatics, Dr. Charles Buhler claims to leverage a “fundamentally new force” capable of providing enough energy to overcome Earth”s gravity. This major discovery was announced at the Alternative Propulsion Energy Conference (APEC) during the ” The Discovery of Propellantless Propulsion: The Direct Conversion of Electrical Energy into Physical Thrust” discussions. Here’s what you need to know.
Fundamental New Force
The discovery has raised eyebrows across the industry since the claim appears to contradict the laws of physics. To that extent, researchers have agreed that this is a new form of force generation unlike anything used prior. Notably, the force enables items to produce enough thrust to overcome the earth’s gravity without emitting mass. As such, there’s a call from researchers to put forth more effort into unlocking the mysteries surrounding this discovery.
Electrostatics
Researchers have discovered the force is related to electrostatics. Dr.Buhler is an expert in this field and is NASA’s lead scientific source on the matter. He spoke on the discovery and what is known so far. He explained that electrostatic fields can enable the center of mass of an item to move without exerting any mass. He also described how this method of propulsion is the next step for humanity and could be used for 1000 years moving forward.
Source – Geeks for Geeks
The team’s excitement can be understood. They have worked in the field of electrostatics for +25 years and this research paper is the culmination of all those years of testing new concepts, materials, and methods. The results of their research have proven that they can create force by charging up Teflon, copper tape, and foam to the point that it can overcome gravity. Specifically, the paper proves that asymmetric electrostatic pressures and divergent fields can provide a force on the center of mass.
NASA Engineer and Top Expert
Dr. Buhler is one of the top researchers in the world regarding electrostatic fields and space travel. He has served many roles at NASA. His iconic career includes working on the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station (ISS), The Hubble Telescope, and a variety of other game-changing projects. Notably, his latest endeavor may be the most impactful yet.
The Propellantless Propulsion Drives
After decades of research, the team has been able to test their theories and build a propellantless propulsion drive successfully. This device needed to be as light as possible to reduce the amount of gravity to overcome. The team’s testing exceeded expectations and created 10 mN (milliNewtons) of thrust which was enough to overcome gravity in the test item. Interestingly, the team began using units of gravity as their metric rather than mN as it’s the force they need to overcome.
A Long Chain of Experiments
One thing’s for sure, as you delve deep into this research you realize this has been a lifelong project for many of the brightest minds in the world. The experiments listed go back to 2016 and begin with the creation of a specially designed vacuum chamber. This chamber was created to simulate the environment of deep space and give researchers deep insight into the effects and reactions of the experiments.
The project began testing on dielectric film using various charge carrier coatings which yielded small but promising results. From there the team continued their efforts to achieve the monumental milestone described in their paper. Specifically, the devices tested in 2016 produced less than one hundred thousandth of a gravity. The unit they demonstrated in the 2020 paper and subsequent patient showed results up to 1 earth gravity (the amount of energy needed to overcome gravity on an item).
In 2022, the research team hit a stride after diversifying their testing to incorporate +140 different materials. Their test results confirmed that measurable trust could be applied to these devices using electrostatic fields. Additionally, the team enhanced their original approach from using asymmetrical capacitors to opposing asymmetrical plates.
Results Speak
The test results showed consistent thrust production from the test items. In many instances, the propulsion drives weighing around 30-40 reached 1 full earth gravity during testing. Alongside this discovery, which still needs a lot of research to be fully understood, there were some other interesting anomalies.
Interesting Discoveries
One of the most intriguing anomalies of the experimentation process was the discovery that some tested devices could maintain electrostatic thrust without the need to apply additional charge. As long as the item held charge, it could produce thrust. As such, this breakthrough could revolutionize many industries moving forward.
Benefits of Propellantless Propulsion Drives
The benefit of creating thrust without using propellants is massive. This discovery could lead the way for truly gravity-defying inventions. Here are some key benefits that make this technology a must-have for those seeking a future where space travel is normal, items float in mid-air, and cars fly.
No Fuel
When you eliminate fuel from the propulsion equation you strike a lot of problems off the list. For one, fuel is heavy. It can take a lot of fuel just to bring the fuel you need. Additionally, it’s volatile. There are lots of stories of crafts exploding mid-flight due to fuel delivery system failures or leaks. Eliminating fuel from the propulsion equation would eliminate these systems’ weight and risk.
Endless Energy
There is not enough known about this new force to determine its limits, but if it truly relies on the electrostatic field to generate thrust, it could unlock a golden age of energy creation and usage. Future astronauts could power space colonies using this technology just as easily as you could use it to power your autopilot car. Electrostatic energy is abundant in the universe, making it the perfect fuel.
Seeking Funding
The researchers are now ready to seek funding from interested parties. They hope to further their research and data analysis. Discussing the further work to be done, the team leader explained that it’s going to take a group of researchers “smarter than me” to unravel this discovery. Notably, the project isn’t connected to the US government or NASA. However, given Buhler’s close connections to NASA and the fact that the results of their discovery are now public, you could imagine that changing very shortly.
Join Forces
One of the coolest aspects of Exodus Propulsion Technologies’ approach is their desire to work with other experts globally to delve deeper into this new fundamental force and how it can be harnessed to help man. To that extent, Dr. Buhler’s expertise in everything space-related, including corona generation, brush discharges, streamers, glow discharges, plasma physics, and much more, makes him the perfect addition to any electrostatic propulsion-related project.
Other Studies
The dream of propellantless propulsion is shared by many teams around the globe, and projects like the EM Drive and IVO LTD’s Quantum Drive have also stepped into the arena recently to drive competition. These efforts have also entered their testing stages, with many already looking for in-space testing options.
Past Attempts Using Other Forms of Power
There have been a lot of attempts to create propellantless propulsion drives. The methods used to power the propulsion in these experiments included solar, nuclear, electromagnetic, laser, and microwaves. These endeavors continue to help expand researchers’ understanding of these concepts and future use cases.
Source – NASA – Vacuum Chamber
Notably, only Dr. Buhler’s team has the patents in place for the electrostatic propellentless propulsion technology at this point. He spoke publicly about the competition and noted that some of these projects appeared out of nowhere directly following the issuance of his patent. As such, it will be interesting to see how the projects interact moving forward.
Propellentless Propulsion Drives Use Case Scenarios
There are many use case scenarios for propulsion-less drives. For one, they would create a sustainable energy ecosystem that could tap into this new force without producing byproducts. The result would be a cleaner, more accessible electrical grid that could power the population into the foreseeable future.
Space Exploration
Space exploration is set to gain a lot from this technology. Some factors in space make this propulsion style the best option. In space, there is no force to push against. As such, you need to expel something to create a force to push against. As such, propellentless thrust could be the answer to so many space exploration problems.
It’s vital to understand that you don’t need a lot of force to move an item in space. The smallest amount of thrust could move a massive item onto a new trajectory with ease. As such, propellantless propulsion is the holy grail of space travel. It could enable future explorers to travel further, lighter, and with access to endless energy to power their journey.
Satellites
Propellant propulsion systems that leverage electrostatic charge would enable next-generation satellites to be more agile, last longer, be lighter, and accomplish way more. There has already been massive innovation in the satellite sector, with low-orbit micro satellites now gaining popularity. The integration of propellantless propulsion drives could make these devices even smaller.
Undersea Exploration
The use of propellantless propulsion for sea exploration could enable researchers to achieve new levels of understanding about the world’s deepest oceans. This technology could be used to power drones and manned vessels deeper by powering systems that could improve safety and speed up the process of diving to maximum depths. All of this could be done in a non-intrusive manner and without leaving waste or damaging the new ecology.
Companies that Can Leverage this Tech Today
It’s a tight competition in the field of alternative space propulsion systems. Large firms that have the funding to conduct decades of costly R&D dominate the sector. Here are two companies that could leverage this technology to enhance their market positioning and offerings.
1. Northrop Grumman Corporation 
Northrop Grumman Corporation is based out of Virginia and is one of the leading manufacturers of propulsion systems globally. They have billions in government contracts and have worked on some of the most iconic aerospace projects in the world. This international aerospace, defense, and security conglomerate is a world-recognized brand with deep ties to the US government.
Northrop Grumman Corporation consistently outperforms competitors in the market. Its stock is currently approaching its yearly high and is expected to see further gains due to a variety of factors including new government contracts, the looming specter of global conflict, and failures from other aerospace providers. As such, Northrop Grumman Corporation is a smart stock to watch.
2. IHI Corporation
The IHI corporation has been in operation since 1853 when it was launched as Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. before being rebranded. This Tokyo-based manufacturer was created in 1853 to enable Japan to keep up with the technology of the world powers they were dealing with at the time. It still serves this purpose to this day.
IHC offers products to a broad range of industries including aerospace, propulsion, automotive, and much more. Today it operates as a pioneer in the market that drives innovation in the region. The company’s OTC stock has done well and continues to expand due to the firm’s expansion and success in the industrial manufacturing department.
Propellantless Propulsion Drives – UFOs are Coming
When you hear about this development it’s easy to envision circular discs flying around without any means of visible propulsion. This latest development is sure to unlock a new realm of scientific discovery and shake up many old beliefs that the community has held onto for so long. For these reasons, you have to hand it to this innovative team of engineers who may have just unlocked the future to a better humanity.
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