Reactionless drive

Alcubierre

A reactionless drive is a hypothetical propulsion system that does not expel any form of propellant to generate thrust. This concept is in direct violation of Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Despite numerous claims and experimental attempts, no reactionless drive has been conclusively demonstrated to work.

Theoretical Background

The principle of a reactionless drive contradicts the fundamental laws of physics, particularly the conservation of momentum and energy. According to Newton's third law, propulsion systems such as rockets generate thrust by expelling mass in one direction, thereby creating an equal and opposite force that propels the vehicle forward.

Proposed Concepts

Several concepts for reactionless drives have been proposed over the years, including:

• EmDrive: A proposed electromagnetic propulsion device that claims to generate thrust by bouncing microwaves within a closed cavity.
• Dean drive: A mechanical device that purportedly generates unidirectional thrust through internal mass movements.
• Gyroscopic Inertial Thruster: A device that claims to produce thrust through the manipulation of gyroscopic forces.

Criticism and Controversy

The scientific community remains highly skeptical of reactionless drives due to the lack of empirical evidence and the violation of established physical laws. Most claims of successful reactionless drives have been attributed to experimental errors, measurement inaccuracies, or unaccounted external forces.

Related Concepts

• Propellantless propulsion
• Field propulsion
• Warp drive
• Alcubierre drive

See Also

• Newton's laws of motion
• Conservation of momentum
• Conservation of energy
• Spacecraft propulsion
• Hypothetical technology