Can the EmDrive actually work for space travel?

space.com ^ | 11 November 2020 | Paul Sutter

[Rockingham]

The theory behind the EM Drive treats it as a way to tweak the conservation of momentum, not to violate or repeal it.

[qam1]

Yeah but now they changed the name “phlogiston” to Dark Matter/ Energy

[null and void]

Yeah. Evil spirits changed the name...

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Cold fusion deja vu all over again!

[Bubba_Leroy]

A rocket in vacuum doesn’t “push” off of anything. The directed expansion of gases causes the system to expand linearly in both directions.

The rocket is pushing off of the exhaust gases.

It is a simple and imprecise but essentially accurate way to describe the law of conservation of linear momentum in third grade language used by most mass media.

[null and void]

Marooned off Vesta.

Throw mass in one direction, accelerate in the other.

If you have enough mass, water to burn so to speak, you can move without flame...

[Bubba_Leroy]

Newton’s Third Law of Motion.

[wattsgnu]

I have been investigating ideas like this for a long time to the point where I realize chemical rockets aren’t the answer for most space travel.As far as chemical rockets go, Spacex is the real deal and have maximized value for this type by making them reusable and reasonably economical.The nuclear thermal rocket we designed in the 50’s is the best I’ve seen so far. As an EE and space enthusiast, I have also looked into my own non-chemical rocket designs as a ‘hobby’and I may have designed something better. It’s all on paper only, so I will build and test to see. This would be something the govt. should have, but there is no way in hell I’d give it to them if this election is stolen.

[mmichaels1970]

Cold fusion deja vu all over again!

Reminds me of cold fusion.

[BitWielder1]

If you can't even measure the effect, then how useful can it be?
Might as well get out and push.
Oh, wait. What kind of space rubber gets traction in vacuum.

[citizen]

There not powering it properly. Power should be provided via an E-cat system.

[citizen]

ugh They’re

[polymuser]

I’m impressed by the results of the DEm drive.

Creating marked paper out of nothing is an extraordinary accomplishment.

[algore]

Em Drive is interesting, from what I hear everything is still inconclusive, with more evidence pointing to not.

Certainly once someone from earth has established a moonbase and maybe a mars outpost, then people will be in a better position to do experiments with all kinds of innovative drive ideas.