PBS Space Time Season 2017 Episode 2 The EM Drive: Fact or Fantasy?

PBS Space Time season 2017 episode 2 titled "The EM Drive: Fact or Fantasy?" explores the controversial topic of the electromagnetic or EM drive, a hypothetical propulsion system that has no need for propellant. This fascinating episode raises some compelling questions about this mysterious drive and its controversial potential for interstellar travel.

The EM drive, first proposed in 1999 by British engineer Roger Shawyer, works by bouncing microwaves within a closed, cone-shaped cavity to generate thrust. The design of the drive defies traditional laws of physics, as there is no exhaust or propellant present to create the necessary thrust. This has led many in the scientific community to dismiss the drive as pseudoscientific.

However, the EM drive has garnered attention in recent years as some researchers claim to have demonstrated its efficacy in empirical tests. While these claims remain highly controversial, they have kept the possibility of this seemingly impossible propulsion system alive.

This episode explores the scientific evidence surrounding the EM drive, delving into the physics behind the concept and weighing the evidence for and against its feasibility. The episode consults experts in the field of physics and propulsion technology to get a well-rounded understanding of the subject.

One of the main arguments against the EM drive is that it violates Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The EM drive seems to provide thrust without any propellant, which contradicts this fundamental law of physics. This episode delves into the physics of how the EM drive could work, including some of the competing theories that have emerged to explain how it might be generating thrust without any propellant.

In addition to examining the physics behind the EM drive, the episode also delves into some of the experimental evidence for and against the concept. Some researchers have claimed to generate thrust using a variety of EM drive configurations, while others have been unable to reproduce these results.

The episode also weighs the possibility of whether or not the EM drive could be used for interstellar travel. While this prospect seems exciting, the EM drive's current limitations and controversial nature make it a topic of much debate. The physics of the EM drive as it currently stands make it difficult to even fathom how it could be used for interstellar travel, and some researchers are sceptical as to whether the propulsion system could ever be a viable option for space exploration.

Ultimately, while the EM drive raises many fascinating questions, there are still many unknowns surrounding its feasibility. This PBS Space Time episode takes a balanced approach to the subject, exploring the science behind the concept and examining the evidence for and against it. The episode provides viewers with a thought-provoking look at a unique propulsion system that has the potential to change the course of space exploration.

Overall, "The EM Drive: Fact or Fantasy?" is a must-watch for anyone fascinated by the potential of space travel and propulsion technology. The episode offers a well-rounded and detailed examination of the EM drive, presenting viewers with all of the relevant scientific information and getting to the bottom of the fascinating debate surrounding this controversial concept.