| Popis: |
In 1990, James F. Woodward, professor of physics at the California State University, provided a set of equations showing that it should be possible, via Mach's Principle, to change transiently the mass of a body. The major practical embodiment of these equations is a new kind of propellantless propulsion which could be directly applied to space exploration. The main goal of the experimental campaign here reported is to provide an independent test for the validity of this propulsion concept and compare it with previous experimental claims. We performed the study using a very sensitive thrust balance developed for field emission thrusters. Two devices developed and tested by Woodward have been characterized with our equipment. The results obtained to date do not seem to be in full agreement with the findings claimed by Woodward and collaborators. Nevertheless, the importance of such a discovery is sufficient to recommend going on with experimentation in order to reach a complete understanding of the phenomenon. |
