Revolutionizing Space Travel: A Closer Look at the Revolutionary Field-Effect Propulsion System

Sunday - April 28 2024, 18:59 UTC - 10 months ago

Dr. Buhler and Exodus Technologies have developed a revolutionary field-effect propulsion system that utilizes electrostatic pressure to generate movement and thrust without the need for fuel. Initial experiments have shown promise, and NASA plans to move towards a demo in orbit. This low-cost, efficient technology has the potential to greatly improve space travel in the future.

Dr. Charles Buhler, a subject matter expert on electrostatics at NASA, has made revolutionary claims about a new propulsion system based on asymmetrical electrostatic pressure. This system, described in International Patent# WO2020159603A2, utilizes a voltage difference applied across electrically conductive surfaces to create an electrostatic pressure force that acts on objects. By taking advantage of asymmetries in the resulting force, a net pressure force is generated, allowing for movement and thrust without the need for fuel or ejection-mass .

Buhler's experience working on electrostatic discharge and ESD safety for various NASA programs, combined with his independent research at Exodus Technologies, has led to this groundbreaking discovery. The patent for this technology, which was filed in 2019, has the potential to revolutionize space travel by reducing the need for fuel and increasing performance in orbit.In 2019, initial experiments with the field-effect propulsion system showed that it was 100,000 times weaker than the mass of the test article .

However, Buhler and his team were able to maintain the thrust while greatly reducing the mass of the system. This resulted in a thrust of 300-400 micronewtons, which is equivalent to only a fraction of a percent of the weight of a paperclip. However, this small amount of thrust could still have significant implications for space travel.The ultimate goal is to increase the thrust to the point where one newton of force can lift a mass of 100 grams vertically upwards .

This would allow for a 100 gram test article to self-lift or levitate with the help of the field-effect propulsion system. Alternatively, a combination of 10 millinewtons of force with a 1 gram test article could also be viable. The inventors of the system have informed potential investors that they plan to complete a 50 gram payload by 2021, with a focus on utilizing this technology for small satellites, known as CubeSats .

While these claims are certainly controversial, the work done by Dr. Buhler and Exodus Technologies seems to be thorough and well-supported. In fact, the potential for this technology has caught the attention of NASA, with plans to move towards a demo of the system in orbit. The cost for this would only be $500k to $1M, making it a relatively low-cost option for testing and potentially implementing the field-effect propulsion system in future space missions .

In conclusion, the field-effect propulsion system developed by Dr. Buhler and Exodus Technologies has the potential to revolutionize space travel and improve performance in orbit. Its low cost and efficient use of electrostatic pressure make it a promising option for future space missions. The future of space travel is looking brighter than ever with this groundbreaking technology.