Comment on the Dipole Drive

G. A. Landis (2020), JBIS, 73, pp.2-3

Refcode: 2020.73.2
Keywords: Electric propulsion, Electric sails, Solar sails, Propellantless propulsion, Interstellar travel

Abstract:
A proposed propulsion system that uses the space plasma as reaction mass, the “Dipole Drive,” is analyzed. A difficulty with the system is shown, in that the power supply does not add energy to the reaction mass, and hence in the simple analysis, the thrust is zero.