Space & Astronomy

China is testing a working EmDrive in space

By T.K. Randall
December 20, 2016 ·  20 comments

Could EmDrive really revolutionize space travel ? Image Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0 NikoLang First developed back in 2001 by aerospace engineer Roger Shawyer, EmDrive allegedly works by converting electrical power in to thrust without the need for propellant through a process that scientists argue is in direct violation of the laws of physics.

Despite this however, a recent peer-reviewed study has shown that the mysterious drive does have promise and now China has taken things one step further by announcing that it has not only managed to test one in a lab, it has even succeeded in sending one in to space.The news came via an announcement made earlier this month by Dr. Chen Yue, Director of Commercial Satellite Technology for the China Academy of Space Technology.

The proof-of-concept EmDrive is currently aboard the Tiangong 2 space station where astronauts are carrying out tests to see if it can truly produce thrust in a zero-gravity environment.

If successful, it would add further merit to the idea that the mysterious space engine, which has the potential to send astronauts to Mars within just 70 days, really is something quite extraordinary.

Source: Popular Science | Comments (20)

Tags: China, EmDrive