User:Very Polite Person/draft/Field propulsion#References

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• This is months, if not a year+ as of June 2025, from being ready to be at all ported to Field propulsion. There is no hurry, and I would prefer to have every section here nailed before I move anything over. This page will collect a lot of material for related/adjacent articles as well--overflow collected over time--that will spill over to those pages. Why waste research?

• My "potential" [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Very_Polite_Person/draft/Field_propulsion#Possible_references_to_review references list as of June 2025 is over 100+ items], and I'm barely into the first few overall. Once that is zero, and every source has been integrated or set aside as reviewed/no use, then after a bunch more editing I'll be thinking of porting. Consider that list a launch countdown, I guess? When it's at zero, I'm at least kinda ready. I have another 50+ and growing still on the side, so more will be added meanwhile.

Field propulsion is an existing article with potential that kind of sucks. This is a complete from zero re-write.

• NOTE: In no logical way may one reasonably say Field propulsion is a POV fork of Reactionless drive. That's like saying civil engineering is a POV fork of a pothole—it makes that little sense. Reactionless drive is the unserious child page of this serious topic. No, the timelines don't line up—blame retrocausality, as we did anyway.

• Reactionless drive really is not much content. Whatever is on that page that I don't cover in my draft can be integrated here after, if it has value. Reactionless drive can be redirected "here" later.

Prior history of working on this was at User:Very Polite Person/sandbox

• [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Very_Polite_Person/sandbox&oldid=1290326660 Last version there before I moved here.]
• [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User%3AVery_Polite_Person%2Fsandbox&diff=1290326660&oldid=1244033107 History there was from 2024-09-15 to 2025-05-13.]
• Semi-imported version of live Field propulsion toward this draft which I wasn't feeling is here: User:Very Polite Person/draft/Field propulsion/old.

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File:Advanced Composite Solar Sail System deployment.gif for the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3), released by NASA in 2023.]]

File:Manual Fire Arrow.jpg.]]

File:Robert Anderson Rocket Diagram 1696.png suggested using metal for rocket casings in 1696.]]

File:Dr. Goddard and a 1918 version of Bazooka.jpg loading a bazooka in 1918.]]

File:Aggregat4-Schnitt-engl.jpg rocket, circa 1944-1952.]]

File:Magnetohydrodynamic drive.jpg, built in 1991, and it's magnetohydrodynamic drive system, at the Ship Science Museum in Tokyo.]]

Image:STS-75 Tethered Satellite System deployment.jpg deployment in 1996 during STS-75.]]

File:NEXIS thruster working.jpg ion engine testing in 2005.)]]

File:STS120LaunchHiRes-edit1.jpg into Earth orbit in 2007.]]

File:Xenon hall thruster.jpg Hall thruster in operation at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2007.]]

File:Plasma propulsion engine.webp fusion plasma thruster in 2007.]]

File:Falcon Heavy Side Boosters landing on LZ1 and LZ2 - 2018 (25254688767).jpg's Falcon Heavy reusable side boosters land in unison at Cape Canaveral Landing Zones 1 and 2 following test flight on 6 February 2018.]]

(section added to make tweaking this easier)

Field propulsion is an umbrella term encompassing a range of established and proposed aerospace technologies, typically characterized as thermodynamically open systems that exchange momentum or energy with external fields or energy sources. In contrast, hypothetical reactionless drives and related concepts involve closed systems that generate thrust without any external interaction, a notion widely regarded by physicists as violating the conservation of momentum.

Since the advent of gunpowder in rocketry and internal combustion systems in aviation, propulsion methods have progressed through steady improvements. Today, high-performance chemical and electric propulsion systems underpin most operational spaceflight technologies. Various field propulsion concepts have been intermittently investigated by space agencies and aerospace programs as part of long-range exploratory research into next-generation propulsion technologies.

Some broad definitions of field propulsion include solar sail systems, such as the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) experimental IKAROS program, and magnetic sails first proposed by Dana Andrews and Robert Zubrin in 1988, which generate thrust by transferring momentum from external particle streams like sunlight or the solar wind. More narrowly defined field propulsion proposals involve experimental electromagnetic propulsion mechanisms such as electrohydrodynamics and magnetohydrodynamics, as well as speculative constructs based on general relativity, quantum field theory, and zero-point energy phenomena—seeking to interact directly with non-particulate fields or modify inertial frame conditions.

While several terrestrial and laboratory-scale systems have demonstrated partial analogs, no field propulsion method has yet been validated for practical spaceflight use. Nonetheless, the concept remains an active topic within exploratory research and fringe science efforts. This includes the former Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Program at NASA and work by state space programs, the aerospace industry, academia, and independent theorists proposing related alternatives to traditional aerospace engineering models.

Attempting to identify who are the relevant experts first. Who defined/defines field propulsion and is recognized in the field?

Definition logically is RS downstream of this.

Initial attempt...

• James Benford
• Robert L. Forward
• H. David Froning Jr.
• Claudio Maccone
• Marc G. Millis
• Yoshinari Minami
• Takaaki Musha
• Leik Myrabo
• Harold G. White

• Development of solid-fuel rockets in ancient China and India

:* Fire arrow

:* Huolongjing

:* Mysorean rockets

• Use of gunpowder rockets in early warfare and pyrotechnics

:* History of rockets

:* Military rocket

:* Pyrotechnics

• Scientific foundations laid by Newton, Tsiolkovsky, and Goddard

:* Isaac Newton

:* Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

:* Robert H. Goddard

• Emergence of liquid-fuel rockets and early space programs

:* Liquid-propellant rocket

:* V-2 rocket

:* Sputnik 1

• Cold War propulsion research expands electric and ion technologies

:* Ion thruster

:* SERT-1

:* Electric propulsion

• Theoretical interest in plasma, MHD, and non-chemical thrust

:* Plasma propulsion engine

:* Magnetohydrodynamic drive

:* Advanced Space Propulsion Investigation Committee

• Operational use of electric propulsion in spacecraft missions
• Experimental validation of sails and tether-based systems
• Renewed theoretical focus on field-based propulsion concepts

The broad definition of field propulsion refers to any propulsion system that generates thrust without sustained expulsion of reaction mass or reliance on solid chemical fuel.

In contrast, traditional rockets achieve motion by expelling mass—typically through the combustion of chemical propellants—to generate thrust via Newton's third law.

Field propulsion concepts explore mechanisms where motion results from interactions with surrounding fields or external media, rather than from ejecting onboard material.

Such systems aim to generate thrust through environmental coupling or field interaction rather than internal mass ejection.

• Definitions vary across aerospace, physics, and speculative domains
• Field propulsion contrasts with chemical, thermal, or inertial drives
• Related terms include beamed-energy, electromagnetic, and sail propulsion

Field propulsion systems are characterized as open systems that exchange momentum or energy with external fields or media. Examples include solar sails, which harness radiation pressure from sunlight, and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) thrusters that interact with ambient plasma or magnetic fields. These systems comply with the conservation of momentum by transferring it to or from the surrounding environment. For instance, MHD drives accelerate conductive fluids using electromagnetic fields, resulting in thrust through the Lorentz force, with momentum conserved via interaction with external media, such as the interplanetary or interstellar media, or the solar wind.

In contrast, reactionless drives are hypothetical closed systems that claim to produce thrust without exchanging momentum with an external entity, thereby violating the conservation of momentum. Such devices, like the Dean drive and the EmDrive, have been proposed but lack empirical support and are widely regarded as inconsistent with established scientific principles.

The conservation of momentum is a fundamental principle arising from spatial translation symmetry, as formalized by Noether's theorem. Any propulsion system that purports to generate net thrust in a closed system without external interaction challenges this principle and is considered physically untenable under the Standard Model of physics, and would likely require physics beyond the Standard Model to be viable.

• Field concepts remain experimental or theoretical in most cases
• Some components tested in space (e.g., tethers, sails)
• Research continues in academia, agencies, and fringe communities

The following studies provide early conceptual and technical frameworks for propulsion systems that diverge from traditional chemical rockets. Each explores different mechanisms—electromagnetic, beamed-energy, or field-interactive—that inform present discussions of field propulsion.

As human activity expands further into space, future missions will require propulsion systems far more sophisticated and energetic than current chemical technologies, which are approaching their theoretical performance limits. Although nuclear-electric and solar-electric propulsion systems are advancing and may see application before 1990, they are insufficient for large-scale industrial use of lunar or asteroidal materials. Demonstrating plausible, efficient advanced propulsion systems could catalyze the next wave of major space activities, potentially serving as the trigger rather than the outcome of such expansion.

Advanced propulsion systems may overcome the limitations of chemical rockets by accessing more energetic physical principles, particularly those involving directed-energy and field interactions. Beamed-energy propulsion concepts eliminate the need for onboard energy sources by transmitting power from remote stations using lasers, microwaves, or particle beams to induce thrust remotely. Such systems decouple the vehicle from traditional propellant constraints and enable the possibility of high specific impulse with relatively high thrust-to-weight ratios.

Theoretical development includes mechanisms for transferring momentum via electromagnetic coupling or by interacting with the physical structure of the vacuum, a line of reasoning that parallels field propulsion concepts. Some approaches explore the utilization of atmospheric or ambient materials as virtual reaction mass or interaction medium, pushing beyond the limitations of mass ejection propulsion. Proposals also include advanced electrostatic and MHD-based concepts that could leverage charged-particle interactions with atmospheric fields to produce directed motion.

Funding for advanced propulsion research saw major swings from the 1960s to early 1980s, with initial surges during the 1960s and early 1970s, followed by sharp reductions post-1975. Notable reports on advanced propulsion during this funding trough include studies by the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory in 1972 and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1975 and 1982.

A 1972 Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (AFRPL) study was conducted to explore transitions beyond chemical propulsion and stimulate development of more advanced performance systems by the end of the 20th century. The AFRPL report categorized advanced propulsion into three domains: Thermal Propulsion, Field Propulsion, and Photon Propulsion, each evaluated for performance potential. The study emphasized a return to the unrestricted creativity and "free-thinking" that characterized propulsion research in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Among its primary conclusions, the AFRPL report noted that more intensive energy sources—such as nuclear—offer performance improvements up to five orders of magnitude greater than chemical sources. It proposed that propulsion researchers should prioritize "infinite specific impulse" (Isp) systems that obtain both working fluid and energy from the ambient environment, offering exceptional performance potential. The study argued that improvements in technologies like high-power lasers or new energy transfer methods could revitalize previously discarded propulsion ideas, including laser propulsion and infinite-Isp ramjets.

For field propulsion, specific technological breakthroughs such as higher current density superconductors, metallic hydrogen, or room temperature superconductors were identified as potentially enabling innovations.

Myers identifies three main types of electromagnetic propulsion systems—pulsed plasma, magnetoplasmadynamic, and pulsed inductive—each engineered around specific operational tradeoffs. For clarity, they are introduced here by increasing technological maturity.

Pulsed plasma thrusters (PPTs) represent the earliest class of electromagnetic propulsion systems to achieve operational deployment in space. Developed in the 1960s, these thrusters generate thrust by ablating solid propellant with an arc discharge and accelerating the resulting plasma via Lorentz forces. Unlike later concepts relying on inductive or steady-state operation, PPTs utilize compact, low-power, pulsed configurations suitable for satellite positioning and drag compensation. The Soviet Zond-2 Mars mission in 1964 marked the first planetary use of electric propulsion, followed by successive U.S. deployments culminating in the Nova satellite series. PPTs remain relevant for low-mass spacecraft requiring precise impulse bits, though scalability to higher power levels has presented technical challenges.

Magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters (MPDTs) are another major class of electromagnetic propulsion systems investigated for both quasi-steady and steady-state spaceflight applications. Operating through the Lorentz force generated by the interaction of discharge currents with self-induced or externally applied magnetic fields, MPD thrusters were among the first electric propulsion devices to fly in space. Initial experimental campaigns explored both self-field and applied-field configurations, with development advancing through international programs aimed at supporting high-power planetary missions. While technological challenges remain—including efficiency optimization and cathode erosion—MPD thrusters continue to serve as a key pathway toward scalable, high-thrust, long-duration propulsion architectures.

Pulsed inductive thrusters (PITs) are a form of electromagnetic propulsion developed to overcome the erosion and lifetime limitations of electrode-based systems. By inducing plasma currents through time-varying magnetic fields, PITs accelerate neutral propellants without requiring physical contact between conductors and plasma. The concept originated in the late 1960s and evolved through successive experimental designs focused on performance scaling, circuit optimization, and propellant compatibility. Although no PIT system has flown in space, the thruster class remains of interest due to its potential for high-efficiency, long-duration propulsion with minimal material degradation, particularly in missions requiring flexible propellant selection and reduced contamination risk.

Field propulsion proposes the generation of thrust without reaction mass by interacting with the vacuum as a physically structured medium. Minami and Musha (2012) situate this idea at the intersection of general relativity—which treats spacetime as a dynamic geometry—and quantum field theory, where the vacuum hosts fluctuating fields and latent energy. This dual framework underpins proposals for coupling spacecraft to ambient fields to induce motion without conventional mass ejection.

Several mechanisms have been theorized to achieve such coupling, including vacuum polarization, spacetime curvature manipulation, and asymmetrical force distributions generated by interactions with massless fields. Proposed implementations include the EMDrive, electrogravitic systems, and quantum vacuum thrust devices, all of which attempt to produce measurable force through non-reactive means.

Though none of these technologies have achieved operational deployment, experimental studies continue at laboratory scale. Investigations explore force generation analogs such as zero-point energy fluctuations and electrogravitic interactions, though results remain inconclusive and difficult to replicate.

A central theoretical challenge is the reconciliation of these concepts with conservation of momentum. Critics argue that without a clearly identified external momentum exchange medium, such propulsion mechanisms would violate fundamental physical laws. Nonetheless, field propulsion remains of interest for long-duration, deep space missions, where propellantless thrust would offer significant logistical and performance advantages.

Each item on this list—if it has ** and a URL—means this technology has actually been deployed into outer space already in real life or is near to ready to do so. It is real science.

Electromagnetic systems use electric and magnetic fields to accelerate plasma or ions.

{{main|Electromagnetic propulsion}}

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304388619300890

Electrodynamic propulsion systems interact with ambient magnetic or plasma fields to generate thrust without conventional propellant. Examples include electrodynamic tethers, which generate Lorentz-force-based drag or thrust by coupling with a planetary magnetic field. These systems fall under broad definitions of field propulsion due to their use of external fields for momentum exchange.

{{main|Electrodeless plasma thruster}}

ECR thrusters use electron cyclotron resonance to ionize and accelerate ambient plasma, particularly in ionospheric or high-altitude environments. These systems can, in principle, generate thrust by coupling to environmental plasma, qualifying as a field propulsion mechanism when onboard mass is not expelled. They are an example of electrodeless propulsion and remain in experimental stages.

These systems accelerate onboard or environmental particles using electromagnetic, electrostatic, or directed energy fields. Some may still require onboard mass or atmospheric medium.

{{main|Atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion}}

A concept where spacecraft collect ambient particles in low orbit, ionize them, and accelerate them using electromagnetic fields. It avoids onboard propellant but still involves mass acceleration.

(maybe)

{{main|Laser propulsion}}

A system where pulsed laser energy ablates onboard material to produce plasma and thrust. Though it expels mass, the energy source is external, placing it within the domain of beamed field-accelerated propulsion systems.

(maybe)

{{main|Lightcraft}}

Beamed-energy propulsion is considered a form of field propulsion in NASA-sponsored research on advanced aerospace systems.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightcraft
• https://www.nss.org/settlement/nasa/spaceresvol2/beamed.html
• https://www.wired.com/1998/05/beam-it-up

A thruster using microwave energy—potentially externally supplied—to heat a fluid propellant. When powered externally, it falls under beamed-energy propulsion with mass acceleration via directed fields.

(maybe)

These systems generate thrust by exchanging momentum with external fields (magnetic, plasma, or photon), without expelling onboard reaction mass.

A proposed propulsion method that uses radio-frequency-driven Alfvén waves to couple with ambient magnetic and plasma fields, generating thrust without expelling onboard reaction mass. These waves propagate along magnetic field lines and can transfer momentum to space plasma, making the system a candidate for propellantless thrust.

• Alfvén wave

{{main|Electrodynamic tether}}

Electrodynamic tethers are a distinct form of space propulsion that generate thrust by exchanging momentum with ambient magnetic fields or plasma, usually in low Earth orbit.

They are a subset of the broader category of space tethers, which includes non-propulsive applications such as momentum exchange and orbital stabilization.

{{main|Magnetohydrodynamics}}

{{main|Magnetohydrodynamic drive}}

• https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20220002207/downloads/NASA-TM-20220002207.pdf

"It is theoretically possible to generate a net force by interaction with the ambient space plasma, without expelling onboard propellant, using mechanisms such as Lorentz-force coupling."

-- Gilland et al., NIAC 2011 Phase I (Control-F: "Lorentz force", pg. 4)

A magnetohydrodynamic derived propulsion system is a field propulsion system:

If the plasma is external (e.g., ionospheric or solar wind), and momentum exchange occurs with it, nothing onboard is expelled, and it qualifies under field propulsion.

It is not, if:

If the plasma is internally supplied and expelled, it's not field propulsion but electromagnetic or electrothermal propulsion.

{{main|Magnetic sail}}

A variant of magnetic sails, magnetospheric plasma propulsion (also known as M2P2) inflates a magnetic bubble using plasma injection, then interacts with the solar wind to generate thrust. Unlike traditional magnetic sails, M2P2 requires a brief plasma emission to initiate the interaction but does not rely on continuous onboard mass expulsion. It was studied as part of early field propulsion prototypes by NASA-affiliated researchers.

{{main|Magnetic sail}}

Magnetic sails are classified within broad definitions of field propulsion, as they generate thrust by interacting with ambient solar wind or magnetic fields rather than expelling onboard reaction mass.

{{main|Laser propulsion}}

Photonic laser thrusters use externally beamed laser light to generate thrust via photon pressure. Unlike solar sails that rely on sunlight, these systems require a directed laser source—ground- or space-based—and offer higher energy density and precision. Although technically overlapping with solar sail physics, the externally powered architecture gives them unique operational features for deep space missions.

{{main|Plasma sail}}

Plasma magnet sails use an expanding magnetic field, driven by injected plasma, to couple with the ambient solar wind or plasma in space. This interaction produces thrust without requiring onboard propellant. Originally proposed by Robert Winglee, this concept was investigated under a NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) grant.

• https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19990028395/downloads/19990028395.pdf

{{main|Solar sail}}

Solar sails are classified within broad definitions of field propulsion, as they generate thrust by interacting with ambient solar wind or magnetic fields rather than expelling onboard reaction mass.

Concepts extremely close to or adjacent to field propulsion, though not always labeled as such in the literature.

• https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20220002207/downloads/NASA-TM-20220002207.pdf

{{main|Pulsed inductive thruster}}

{{main|Pulsed plasma thruster}}

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) systems accelerate ionized air molecules using high-voltage electric fields, typically in atmospheric conditions. These systems generate thrust through ion wind effects, and are sometimes referred to as ionocraft.

{{main|Ion-propelled aircraft}}

{{main|Field-emission electric propulsion}}

• https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/space/sep/gridded-ion-thrusters-next-c/

{{main|Hall-effect thruster}}

{{main|Microwave electrothermal thruster}}

{{main|Microwave electrothermal thruster}}

• https://www.wired.com/2015/01/challenge-planets-part-two-high-energy/

• https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia24030-psyches-hall-thruster/

All placements here until sub-sections built out are just a quick lazy placement call to catalog things while the whole draft is underway.

Loose logic:

• Unconventional -- been reputably studied at some point (apparently) but not definitive; may have worked in limited lab settings.
• Unproven -- literally that unless someone publishes how to reproduce it, or simply produce it. Theoretical at most.
• Invalid -- probable to literal bullshit or at most "that would be awesome if possible!", at least as we define physics today.

(final placements for all these TBD, but not going "up" unless we get Major Breaking News before I integrate content months from now to Field propulsion)

• https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20030020921/downloads/20030020921.pdf

{{main|Heim theory}}

A speculative propulsion model based on Burkhard Heim's higher-dimensional unified field theory, proposing that interactions with additional dimensions could enable novel propulsion mechanisms.

{{main|Inertial frame}}

A theoretical propulsion concept suggesting that altering a spacecraft's inertial frame could produce thrust without expelling mass, potentially by interacting with the properties of spacetime.

====Metric engineering====

{{main|Metric tensor}}

The idea of manipulating the spacetime metric—essentially the fabric of space and time—to create propulsion effects, such as those proposed in warp drive theories.

• https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20220002207/downloads/NASA-TM-20220002207.pdf

{{main|Quantum vacuum}}

A theoretical propulsion idea based on extracting momentum from the quantum vacuum—the lowest energy state of a field in quantum field theory—although no verified device has demonstrated such a capability.

{{main|Warp drive}}

Theoretical frameworks suggesting that by warping spacetime—compressing it in front of a spacecraft and expanding it behind—faster-than-light travel could be achieved without violating special relativity, as initially proposed by Miguel Alcubierre.

{{main|Zero-point energy}}

• https://www.wired.com/story/nasas-emdrive-leader-has-a-new-interstellar-project/

(final placements for all these TBD, but not going "up" unless we get Major Breaking News before I integrate content months from now to Field propulsion.)

====Anti-gravity====

{{main|Anti-gravity}}

A hypothetical phenomenon in which the normal effect of gravity is neutralized or repelled, often proposed as a means for propulsion or levitation, though no mechanism has been demonstrated.

====Gravitational propulsion====

A theoretical propulsion method that seeks to use gravitational fields or interactions to generate thrust, without relying on conventional reaction mass.

{{main|Gravitational shielding}}

A proposed concept where a material or field could block or reduce the effects of gravity, which would violate known principles of general relativity and has no experimental support.

{{main|Scalar field theory}}

Hypothetical propulsion systems that utilize scalar fields—fields characterized by a single value at each point in space—to generate thrust, possibly by interacting with the vacuum energy or other fundamental fields.

{{main|Einstein–Cartan theory}}

Theories proposing that torsion fields, which involve a twisting of spacetime distinct from curvature, could be harnessed for communication or propulsion, though such concepts remain speculative and controversial.

{{main|Woodward effect}}

A controversial and experimentally debated hypothesis proposed by James Woodward suggesting that transient mass fluctuations in accelerated objects could produce a net thrust, potentially enabling propellantless propulsion.

{{main|Dean drive}}

Mechanical oscillation-based reactionless propulsion; invalid under conservation laws.

{{main|Gyroscopic propulsion}}

Rotational inertia-based drive claims; shown to produce only internal force redistribution.

A fictional or speculative mechanism intended to reduce the inertial effects experienced by occupants or systems under rapid acceleration, frequently depicted in science fiction.

{{main|Reactionless drive}}

EM drive, Mach effect, Cannae drive, etc.

{{main|Yildiz motor}}

Over-unity magnetic motor falsely presented as propulsion; broadly debunked.

• History of aviation
• History of rockets
• History of spaceflight
• Timeline of aviation
• Timeline of rocket and missile technology
• Timeline of spaceflight

Shortcuts for draft:

• Top of page and TOC: Back to top.
• Draft notes: User:Very Polite Person/draft/Field_propulsion#Drafting notes section.
• Lede: User:Very Polite Person/draft/Field propulsion#Lede.
• Refs (integrated): User:Very Polite Person/draft/Field_propulsion#References.
• Refs (to review list): User:Very Polite Person/draft/Field_propulsion#Possible references to review.

{{US government sources}}

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite journal

| last1=Minami

| first1=Yoshinari

| last2=Musha

| first2=Takaaki

| title=Field propulsion systems for space travel

| journal=Acta Astronautica

| volume=81

| issue=1

| pages=59–66

| date=January 2012

| publisher=Elsevier

| doi=10.1016/j.actaastro.2012.02.027

| url=https://www.academia.edu/53605673/Field_propulsion_systems_for_space_travel

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108153315/https://www.academia.edu/53605673/Field_propulsion_systems_for_space_travel

| archive-date=2025-01-08

| access-date=2025-06-03

| issn=0094-5765

| language=en

}}

Pg. 1: "Field propulsion system can be propelled without mass expulsion; its propulsion principle can induce a propulsive force (i.e., thrust) that arises from the interaction of the substantial physical structure."

Pg. 1: "This notion is based on the assumption that space as a vacuum possesses a substantial physical structure."

Pg. 1: "This evaluation examines the substantial physical structure regarding the space–time from both General Relativity in the view of a macroscopic structure and Quantum Field Theory in the view of a microscopic structure."

Pg. 1: "Several kinds of field propulsion system can be proposed by making these choices considering the structure of physical space."

Pg. 1: "The meaning of substantial physical structure regarding the space–time is conjectured from both General Relativity in the view of macroscopic structure, and Quantum Field Theory in the view of microscopic structure."

Pg. 1: "The field propulsion system is expected to be a breakthrough technology that could realize space travel without the need for reaction mass."

Pgs. 1–2: "Field propulsion is propelled receiving a propulsive force (i.e., thrust) that arises from the interaction of the substantial physical structure."

Pg. 2: "Several kinds of field propulsion systems have been theoretically proposed so far. Although none of them has been successfully realized, they are currently being studied."

Pg. 2: "Mechanisms of the field propulsion... arise from an interaction between a massless field and the substantial structure of space... by creating a field asymmetry."

Pg. 2: "Experimental studies have been attempted to confirm the feasibility of such propulsion principles... for example, by using electrogravitic or zero-point force analogues."

Pg. 2: "Such systems are closely related to controversial propulsion technologies like the EMDrive and electrogravitic propulsion."

{{cite report

| title = Advanced Beamed-Energy and Field Propulsion Concepts

| author = Myrabo, Leik N.

| author-link = Leik Myrabo

| publisher = BDM Corporation for the California Institute of Technology and Jet Propulsion Laboratory

| date = May 31, 1983

| type = Contractor Report

| series = NASA Contractor Report Series

| number = NASA-CR-176108

| location = McLean, Virginia

| url = https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19850024873/downloads/19850024873.pdf

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211214024524/https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19850024873

| archive-date = 2021-12-14

| id = BDM/W-83-225-TR; NAS 1.26:176108; Accession 85N33186

| access-date = 2025-06-03

}}

Pg. 25: "As man extends his activities deeper and with increasing frequency into space, he will demand more sophisticated and energetic propulsion systems with capabilities greatly surpassing those of conventional chemical propulsion systems."

Pg. 25: "When human needs create a demand for new solutions to technical problems, history shows that available inefficient solutions will not be tolerated for long."

Pg. 25: "The 'conventional' advanced propulsion technologies of nuclear- electric and solar-electric propulsion are advancing in their development cycles and will probably see application in space vehicle systems before 1990. However, these technologies are clearly inadequate for emerging more ambitious missions involving ever expanding human activity in space, such as large-scale space industry and the utilization of lunar and asteroidal materials."

Pg. 25: "In fact, it is even more likely that demonstration of the plausibility and feasibility of efficient advanced propulsion methods could provide the critical leverage to engender major space activities, rather than the other way around."

Pg. 25: "The history of advanced propulsion research has produced large swings in funding levels over the past 30–40 years. NASA and the military services actively pursued advanced propulsion research during the 1960s and early 1970s [...] Since the early 1970s, funding for advanced propulsion research has been severely limited."

Pg. 25: "Significant studies were published by the USAF Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (AFRPL) in 1972, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in 1975, and JPL again in 1982."

Pg. 26: "The study attempted to reestablish the kind of unrestricted free-thinking, inventiveness, and creativity that existed during the late 1950s and early 1960s. [...] Second, the creativity of propulsion researchers should be strongly directed toward 'infinite specific impulse' (Isp) concepts that draw prime energy and/or material freely from the ambient environment (whether through active interactions or through capitalization of natural phenomena), because of the implications for outstanding performance."

Pg. 26: "The purpose of the study was to identify and stimulate transitions to concepts beyond chemical rocket propulsion that would bring about substantial improvements in propulsion performance by the turn of the century."

Pg. 26: "Advanced concepts falling under the general headings of Thermal Propulsion, Field Propulsion, and Photon Propulsion were evaluated to define their potential."

Pg. 26: "An improvement of five orders of magnitude exists between chemical and nuclear energy sources."

Pg. 26: "The creativity of propulsion researchers should be strongly directed toward 'infinite specific impulse' (Isp) concepts that draw prime energy and/or material freely from the ambient environment [...] The study defines the ideal infinite Isp propulsion system as one which takes both its working fluid and its energy from the environment."

Pg. 26: "The study suggests that improvements in the energy output of high-power lasers by several orders of magnitude, or perhaps the invention of other competitive concepts for long distance energy transfer – are exemplary advances that have revolutionary potentials for laser propulsion and the infinite Isp ramjet."

Pg. 26: "For the Field Propulsion concepts, the development of higher current density superconductors, metallic hydrogen, or perhaps room temperature superconductors are promising breakthrough technologies."

Pg. 32: "The concept of beaming power from a remote source directly to a spacecraft propulsion system presents a revolutionary point of departure from conventional chemical and electric rocketry."

Pg. 36: "Since the power source remains independent of the spacecraft, a beamed-energy propulsion system can simultaneously overcome the two classical limitations of specific impulse (e.g., 400–500 sec for chemical rockets), and thrust/mass (e.g., 10⁻² to 10⁻⁴ N/kg thrust/mass ratio for nuclear-electric rockets)."

Pg. 406: "Stratospheric 'Glow Discharge' Propulsion Concept (20 to 100 km Altitude)"

Pg. 456: "Basic Concept... Electrostatic 'Cartesian Diver' (ECD) Concept... Self-Motivated Electrostatic Propulsion Concepts"

{{cite report

| title = Electromagnetic Propulsion for Spacecraft: Presented at the 1993 Aerospace Design Conference, Irvine, California, February 15–18, 1993

| author = Myers, Roger M.

| publisher = Sverdrup Technology, Inc. for the NASA John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field

| date = February 1993

| type = Contractor Report

| series = NASA Contractor Report Series

| number = NASA-CR-191186

| location = Brook Park, Ohio

| url = https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19940008943/downloads/19940008943.pdf

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230610020741/https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19940008943/downloads/19940008943.pdf

| archive-date = 2023-06-10

| id = AIAA-93-1086; NASA-CR-191186; Accession 94N26441

| access-date = 2025-06-05

}}

Pg. 1: "Like most electric propulsion systems, electromagnetic thrusters underwent an intense period of development during the 1960’s and early 1970’s. These efforts culminated in first flights of solid propellaIit pulsed plasma thrusters in the Soviet Union in 19641 and in the United States in 1968.2 The Soviet PPT flight, in which the thruster provided attitude control for the Zond-2 spacecraft on its way to Mars, was the first use of electric propulsion on a planetary spacecraft."

Pg. 1: "The U.S. has launched several satellites using PPTs for attitude control and drag make-up, and currently has 3 operational satellites (the NOVA series) using PPTs for high accuracy satellite positioning."

Pg. 1: "Electromagnetic plasma thruster applications range from currently operational 30 W pulsed plasma thrusters (PPTs) used for satellite positioning and drag make-up to proposed 100 kW class magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) and pulsed inductive thrusters (PIT) for robotic and piloted planetary exploration."

Pg. 1: "The benefits of using electromagnetic thrusters include their ability to provide small impulse bits for satellite positioning, high specific impulse, robustness, high power processing capability, and system simplicity."

Pg. 2: "The only plasma propulsion concept currently used on U.S. satellites are solid propellant pulsed plasma thrusters."

Pg. 2: "While an attempt has been made to increase the PPT power level to several hundred watts, several design problems discussed below have so far prevented this advance."

Pg. 5: "In addition to PPTs, MPD thrusters are the only other electromagnetic propulsion device which has flown in space. These thrusters operate on the same general principles as pulsed plasma thrusters, though the discharge duration is sufficiently long for the current and plasma flow to reach a steady-state distribution, which usually occurs within 200 μs."

Pg. 5: "A typical applied-field MPD thruster is shown in Figure 12. Self-field thrusters are similar in design, but do not include the external magnet coil."

Pg. 5: "A great deal of experimental data has been collected with both self-field and applied-field MPD thrusters. Major results include performance scaling with thruster geometry, discharge current level, applied magnetic field strength, and propellant type and flow rate."

Pg. 6: "MPD thruster lifetime limiters have been examined for both quasi-steady and steady-state thrusters."

Pg. 7: "The effort is part of the ongoing Japanese effort to develop a propulsion system which can be easily scaled to a variety of spacecraft power levels and mission requirements."

Pg. 7: "The major issues currently preventing the application of MPD thrusters to primary propulsion applications are low thruster efficiency, available spacecraft power, and spacecraft integration."

Pg. 8: "Pulsed inductive thrusters (PITs) have been developed in the hope of eliminating thruster lifetime concerns by relying on induction of plasma currents rather than current conduction through electrode surfaces."

Pg. 8: "It is proposed that using PIT thrusters will permit use of any gas as propellant, since issues of material oxidation and chemical attack are eliminated by the inductive nature of the discharge."

Pg. 8: "While PITs have never flown in space, recent experimental and theoretical results have been very encouraging."

Pg. 8: "Work began on these thrusters in the late 1960's with small, 20 em diameter coils, and over the next decade increased in size to the current 1 m diameter thruster."

Pg. 8: "The thruster has been extensively studied experimentally over a wide range of operating conditions, and model input parameters reflect the results of these measurements."

{{cite book

| last1=Sutton

| first1=George P.

| last2=Biblarz

| first2=Oscar

| title=Rocket Propulsion Elements

| edition=9th

| publisher=Wiley

| year=2017

| isbn=9781118753651

| url=https://ftp.idu.ac.id/wp-content/uploads/ebook/tdg/DESIGN%20SISTEM%20DAYA%20GERAK/Rocket%20Propulsion%20Elements.pdf

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612011026/https://ftp.idu.ac.id/wp-content/uploads/ebook/tdg/DESIGN%20SISTEM%20DAYA%20GERAK/Rocket%20Propulsion%20Elements.pdf

| archive-date=2022-06-12

}}

Pg. 33: "Usually, the term air-augmented rocket denotes mixing of air with the rocket exhaust (made fuel rich for afterburning) in proportions that enable the propulsion device to retain those characteristics that typify rocket engines, for example, high static thrust and high thrust-to-weight ratio. In contrast, the ducted rocket is often like a ramjet in that it must be boosted to operating speed and uses the rocket components more as a fuel-rich gas generator (liquid or solid).

{{cite report

| last1 = Gilland

| first1 = James H.

| last2 = Williams

| first2 = George J.

| title = The Potential for Ambient Plasma Wave Propulsion

| publisher = NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC)

| date = 2011

| url = https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/01-niac_2011_phasei_gilland_thepotentialforambientplasma_tagged.pdf

| access-date = 2025-06-06

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240612082051/https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/01-niac_2011_phasei_gilland_thepotentialforambientplasma_tagged.pdf

| archive-date = 2024-06-12

}}

Pg. 1:A few concepts are able to utilize the environment around them to produce thrust: Solar or magnetic sails, and, with certain restrictions, electrodynamic tethers.

Pg. 1:These concepts focus primarily on using the solar wind or ambient magnetic fields to generate thrust.

Pg. 1:Technically immature, quasi-propellantless alternatives lack either the sensitivity or the power to provide significant maneuvering.

Pg. 1:An additional resource to be considered is the ambient plasma and magnetic fields in solar and planetary magnetospheres.

Pg. 1:The generation of Alfven waves in ambient magnetic and plasma fields to generate thrust is proposed as a truly propellantless propulsion system which may enable an entirely new matrix of exploration missions.

}}

1. 1980 http://www.zamandayolculuk.com/html-3/field_propulsion.htm
2. 1995 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19950002760/downloads/19950002760.pdf
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4. 2005 https://pubs.aip.org/aip/acp/article-abstract/746/1/1419/605761/A-Perspective-of-Practical-Interstellar?redirectedFrom=PDF
5. 2005 https://pubs.aip.org/aip/acp/article-abstract/746/1/1419/605761/A-Perspective-of-Practical-Interstellar?redirectedFrom=fulltext
6. 2006 https://ftp.idu.ac.id/wp-content/uploads/ebook/tdg/DESIGN%20SISTEM%20DAYA%20GERAK/Future%20Spacecraft%20Propulsion%20Systems.pdf / https://web.archive.org/web/20220612010701/https://ftp.idu.ac.id/wp-content/uploads/ebook/tdg/DESIGN%20SISTEM%20DAYA%20GERAK/Future%20Spacecraft%20Propulsion%20Systems.pdf
7. 2007 https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4157632
8. 2007 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234887561_Extraction_of_Thrust_from_Quantum_Vacuum_Using_Squeezed_Light
9. 2009 http://www.hpcc-space.de/publications/documents/SacramentoMarch2009.pdf
10. 2010 https://spacenews.com/experiment-designed-harness-magnetic-field-propulsion/
11. 2011 https://inspirehep.net/literature/1263325
12. 2011 https://zamandayolculuk.com/pdf-2/field_propulsion_systems_for_space_travel.pdf
13. 2012 https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.1991-1990
14. 2012 https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.1992-3780
15. 2013 https://www.academia.edu/67610736/Introduction_to_the_External_Magnetic_Field_Propulsion
16. 2016 https://tecnico.ulisboa.pt/en/news/tecnico-professor-publishes-the-book-physics-of-field-propulsion/
17. 2017 https://novapublishers.com/shop/field-propulsion-physics-and-intergalactic-exploration/
18. 2017 https://www.cbinsights.com/company/field-propulsion-technologies
19. 2017 https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/2017-01-2040/
20. 2018 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20180006825/downloads/20180006825.pdf
21. 2019 https://www.ijaemr.com/uploads/pdf/archivepdf/2020/IJAEMR_342.pdf
22. 2019 https://www.macrothink.org/journal/index.php/ijca/article/view/15289
23. 2020 https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/patent/US-11961666-B2
24. 2021 https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/141986
25. 2021 https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/141986?show=full
26. 2022 https://flamechallenge.authorea.com/users/515992/articles/591079-electric-field-propulsion-technique-using-two-and-three-charge-system-for-anti-gravity-applications
27. 2022 https://journals.aps.org/prapplied/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.18.024060
28. 2022 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c02581
29. 2022 https://www.altpropulsion.com/events/apec-6-11-quantumloop-field-propulsion-quantized-weight/
30. 2022 https://www.authorea.com/users/515992/articles/591079-electric-field-propulsion-technique-using-two-and-three-charge-system-for-anti-gravity-applications
31. 2023 https://kepleraerospace.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/StarTrek-like-Field-Propulsion-will-be-Needed-for-Safe-Economic-Spaceflight-Long-before-We-go-to-Stars.pdf
32. 2024 https://ej-physics.org/index.php/ejphysics/article/view/294
33. 2024 https://indico.icranet.org/event/8/contributions/1555/attachments/404/1171/MG17%20GVS%20Presentation%20-%20Gravitational%20Field%20Propulsion%20Techniques%20RevA.pdf
34. 2024 https://indico.icranet.org/event/8/contributions/1555/attachments/404/1174/2024%20Stephenson%20MG17%20Paper%20-%207-21%20Draft.pdf
35. 2024 https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2024/04/exodus-propulsion-technologies-claims-huge-space-propulsion-breakthrough.html

1. 1979 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19800010907.pdf
2. 1988 https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA338996.pdf
3. 1990 https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA227121.pdf
4. 1993 https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA273824.pdf
5. 1994 https://arxiv.org/pdf/gr-qc/0009013.pdf
6. 1997 https://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1997ESASP.398...27C
7. 1998 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19980201240/downloads/19980201240.pdf
8. 1998 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg15821315-100-running-on-empty/
9. 1999 https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/7837
10. 2000 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/1963139_The_Warp_Drive_Hyper-fast_Travel_Within_General_Relativity
11. 2001 https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0107316
12. 2001 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2001/jan/07/spaceexploration.theobserver
13. 2004 https://arxiv.org/pdf/gr-qc/0406083.pdf
14. 2004 https://datapacrat.com/Opinion/Heim/DroscherHauserJuly2004.pdf (a Heim thing for that section? tbd)
15. 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20130531153952/http://www.ovaltech.ca/pdfss/Lorentz_Actuated_Orbits_1385Peck.pdf
16. 2009 https://books.google.com/books?id=01d9QgAACAAJ
17. 2009 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20180006825/downloads/20180006825.pdf
18. 2009 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20110008067
19. 2010 https://arxiv.org/pdf/1012.5264.pdf
20. 2010 https://arxiv.org/pdf/1204.2184.pdf
21. 2010 https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2010AIPC.1208..153D
22. 2010 https://www.osti.gov/biblio/21370934
23. 2010 https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/990750
24. 2011 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20110015936/downloads/20110015936.pdf
25. 2011 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20120002881/downloads/20120002881.pdf
26. 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110706192722/http://www.ovaltech.ca/spctrvl/thryop3.html
27. 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110706192824/http://www.ovaltech.ca/spctrvl/oneinddrv.html
28. 2011 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875389211005712/pdf?md5=80b4c18ccd47de8b685e42ef70e5701a&pid=1-s2.0-S1875389211005712-main.pdf
29. 2011 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875389211005761/pdf?md5=43c902233928164a3e0f95758d01cbb5&pid=1-s2.0-S1875389211005761-main.pdf
30. 2011 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875389211005864/pdf?md5=01666c4c8735d63aff8a1ad4c3da7007&pid=1-s2.0-S1875389211005864-main.pdf
31. 2012 https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/3.26230
32. 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120331030932/http://www.npo-astro.org/index-e.html
33. 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120504044119/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition30/tryanny.html
34. 2012 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0094576512000628/pdfft?md5=11edc60c29c5696a4c2b89ff4d8a8391&pid=1-s2.0-S0094576512000628-main.pdf
35. 2013 https://arxiv.org/pdf/1301.6178.pdf
36. 2013 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20140000067
37. 2013 https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1220542
38. 2013 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094576512000628
39. 2013 https://www.space.com/22430-star-trek-warp-drive-quantum-thrusters.html
40. 2015 https://arxiv.org/pdf/1502.06288.pdf
41. 2016 https://www.sciencealert.com/it-s-official-nasa-s-peer-reviewed-em-drive-paper-has-finally-been-published
42. 2017 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877705817314716/pdf?md5=b442711ca6f7d373d60a2b12e2ff7b79&pid=1-s2.0-S1877705817314716-main.pdf
43. 2018 https://theses.hal.science/tel-04220184v1
44. 2018 https://www.ijsciences.com/pub/pdf/V72018031562.pdf
45. 2019 https://spectrum.ieee.org/pennysized-ionocraft-flies-with-no-moving-parts
46. 2019 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-good-kind-of-crazy-the-quest-for-exotic-propulsion/
47. 2019 https://jsaer.com/download/vol-6-iss-11-2019/JSAER2019-6-11-202-215.pdf
48. 2020 https://arxiv.org/pdf/2002.11662
49. 2020 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dope-gravity-creating-unnatural-asymmetric-angular-jeffrey-krause/
50. 2020 https://www.tuat-global.jp/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/885c5853ab04dbfcf6b8c36b2a8aa266.pdf
51. 2021 https://web.mit.edu/kardar/www/research/seminars/Pressure/papers/PhysRevLett.126.170401.pdf
52. 2021 https://arxiv.org/abs/2102.06824
53. 2021 https://arxiv.org/pdf/2103.05610.pdf
54. 2021 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350108418_High-Accuracy_Thrust_Measurements_of_the_EMDrive_and_Elimination_of_False-Positive_Effects
55. 2022 https://transducer-research-foundation.org/technical_digests/HiltonHead_2022/hh2022_0202.pdf
56. 2022 https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1906504
57. 2022 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214180422000502
58. 2022 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10015886/
59. 2023 https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/16/6021
60. 2023 https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a44067238/mhd-drive-technology-submarines/
61. 2023 https://www.space.com/nasa-hypersonic-magnetohydrodynamic-control
62. 2024 https://ar5iv.labs.arxiv.org/html/2405.02709
63. 2025 http://www.asps.it
64. 2025 https://www.space.com/space-exploration/tech/30-years-after-warp-drives-were-proposed-we-still-cant-make-the-math-work
65. 2025 [https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-71336-1_5 ], Taxonomy and Fundamentals of Space Propulsion, [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia%3AAdministrators%27_noticeboard%2FIncidents&diff=1294699242&oldid=1294698839 apparently page 65], no [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388949337_Taxonomy_and_Fundamentals_of_Space_Propulsion citations?]
66. year TBD https://staff.washington.edu/wbeaty/toroidESJ_26_0998.PDF

Indexes:

• https://www.science.gov/topicpages/a/advanced+propulsion+concepts

{{Spaceflight}}

{{Spacecraft propulsion}}

{{Space exploration lists and timelines}}

Shortcuts for draft:

• Top of page and TOC: Back to top.
• Draft notes: User:Very Polite Person/draft/Field_propulsion#Drafting notes section.
• Lede: User:Very Polite Person/draft/Field propulsion#Lede.
• Refs (integrated): User:Very Polite Person/draft/Field_propulsion#References.
• Refs (to review list): User:Very Polite Person/draft/Field_propulsion#Possible references to review.