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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.

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[–] RayLomas 0 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago  (edited ago)

It would be lovely if it was true, but it isn't. The drive is neither confirmed, nor disproved - considering that it contradicts very basic laws of physics, "not being disproved" is a hell of achievement already.

The issue, though, is that the thrust is so tiny, that until it's tested in space, it won't be neither disproved or confirmed in a way that will end all speculations. That comes to the main problem - to reliably test it in space we'd need to move it reasonably far away from earth LEO (maybe GEO or L2) to avoid interference from debris and earth's magnetic field. We would need to supply a lot of power to it to be able to measure results (at least a strong RTG would be needed). This all means that it would be expensive as hell - and nobody wants to foot the bill to test a device that gets results just slightly above the measurement error levels...

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[–] g253 0 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago 

The Telegraph isn't a great source for science articles. This is sensationalist nonsense.

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[–] nick2day 0 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago 

I'm glad they proved it worked within his lifetime. Oftentimes, validation like this happens years down the road.

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

Except they haven't. All they've proved is that they haven't proved it doesn't work yet.

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[–] Murphdog 1 point 3 points (+4|-1) ago 

This will change everything

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[–] ponhawk 0 points 9 points (+9|-0) ago 

If it ever gets independently verified by someone other than the telegraph.

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[–] SongAboutYourPost 1 point 4 points (+5|-1) ago 

it appears to function but they don't know how nor why.

Still... SIGN ME UP!

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