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[–] DashingLeech 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

I remain hopeful but skeptical. So far we've only seen the drive operated in a vacuum chamber with testing equipment showing some thrust. Until we actually see a vehicle propelled by this drive, even in a vacuum chamber, there is always a strong possibility of effects on the measurement. And, if it works, until we understand the physics we will not be using it. We're talking about a significant change in some basic physical laws here. Conservation of momentum is merely the expression of translational symmetry:

According to Noether's theorem, space translational symmetry of a physical system is equivalent to the momentum conservation law. Translational symmetry of an object means that a particular translation does not change the object.

Noether's Theorum is a mathematical proof:

Noether's (first) theorem states that every differentiable symmetry of the action of a physical system has a corresponding conservation law. The theorem was proven by German mathematician Emmy Noether in 1915 and published in 1918.

Noether's theorem has become a fundamental tool of modern theoretical physics and the calculus of variations.

If the conservation of momentum is not valid, this has implications for properties of the physics of the entire universe. If true, the ability to get to the Moon in four hours is more or less negligible in the grand scheme of what this could fundamentally change.

This is an extraordinary claim and requires very extraordinary evidence, much more than a few lab tests than appear to measure something and rules out some traditional experimental error sources. As of yet, I put this in the unconfirmed file and unlikely, but I am hopeful this could lead to some significantly new science and understanding, as well as technology.

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[–] jimgagnon ago 

Clearly a application in space is the acid test for the EM drive, but I'm sure ground testing will be effective enough to confirm or deny the drive's abilities. The Chinese have been putting real money behind the EM drive for a decade now, and this is just the thing they desire to show the world they're serious about space.

Also, Noether's Theorem does not apply if there is some sort of dissipative effect in play. Perhaps that's what the EM Drive does: plays with the background of virtual particles to dissipate energy, and then "pushes" against that background.

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[–] ackzsel 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

I don't buy it (yet).

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[–] ForcingChickens 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

I'm so ready to shit my pants but my stools remain unshat for the moment being. It seems so similar to claims that fell flat on their face before.