Microwave Thrusters: The

Future of Space Exploration?

Serena Aeschilman

English 2010 Spring Semester 2017

Prof. Charlotte Howe

March 22, 2017

The President and Government

Organizations
 Lack of funding and investment in the space industry has caused a

serious problem with space exploration. Trumps recent initiatives have

exacerbated the problem by defunding NASA (one percent) and other space

initiatives. This upcoming years fiscal budget for NASA and other space

related institutions has declined by 31.4 percent (Figure 1). However, funding

was a problem even before Trump. Many U.S. citizens have lost interest in

the space industry because they believe it wont be relevant to them. This

lack of interest has led investors to invest their money elsewhere. Failed

missions further hindered interest in space exploration. Even though space-

related movies have promoted and glorified the idea of space, there is still

not much of an interest in reality. Of course, this can all be changed with

exciting new projects. For example, a private institution called SpaceX is

currently pushing for a future Mission to Mars. Unfortunately, this Mission

to Mars will not be ready for quite some time. Another example is a new

invention in space travel called the electromagnetic drive. The

electromagnetic drive is expected to get an individual to the moon in only

four hours. The star feature of the electromagnetic drive is the microwave

thruster, which will be discussed later. In order to gather societys interest,

the electromagnetic drive looked to social media for public support and

opinion.
 Figure 1: Budgeting for Trumps Presidency 2017 (The Right Scoop,

2017)

The public has information on the electromagnetic drive thanks to

social media websites such as Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, and more.

Eagleworks in 2015 and 2016, Eagleworks was a subgroup funded by NASA.

They flooded the internet with advertisements, gaining more and more

attention for the electromagnetic drives. However, this led many to falsely

believe it to be a warp drive, which it is not. Still, this government agency-

Eagleworks- was able to gain more influence due to the use of social media.

However, due to Trumps recent limits on both social media and

funding, more action should be taken to help save the space industry.

Individuals can educate others about the exciting new discoveries in space

exploration and how they will be beneficial. The next big thing for the space

industry will be the electromagnetic drives impact on the Mission to Mars

or the journey building more efficient satellites. Education is the key solution

for saving the space industry. Individuals can begin by reading up on the

electromagnetic drive.
What is the Electromagnetic Drive?

The electromagnetic drive is the newest option for an engine in space.

There are a lot of possibilities for this technology but also a lot of room for

improvements. Currently, the electromagnetic drive is encountering

problems with what the human body can withstand. It will take a lot of work

to produce a functional drive, which can be approved for human testing and

use, but once it works, this technology will revolutionize space travel and

space exploration. The electromagnetic drive works as a microwave thruster,

within a magnetic cavity. This makes the technology efficient in the sense

that it can produce large outputs of energy in small increments of time. In

order to understand how this works, it is important to understand how

microwave thrusters function.

The Microwave Thruster: The Future of

Space Exploration and How it Works

Microwave thrusters have been in the making since 1999. Microwave

thrusters convert microwave radiation into thrust without using large

amounts of fuel (Yang Juan 2011). This reduces the weight that would be

present from fuel tanks which are currently required by spacecrafts. A

microwave thruster uses little fuel because energy is created and sustained

by an electromagnetic pressure gradient. Then a microwave resonator

amplifies the pressure gradient, converting it into thrusts. However, some

are skeptical as to whether or not these thrusts will produce velocity.

According to Shawyer, in 2014, velocity is created and proven by movements

within a space. Though this will be further explained later in the paper, the

microwave thruster has proven that it does produce directional force with

adequate speeds, which proves velocity. The microwave thruster has

undergone various prototypes, peer review, and has been proven to work.

The next step is to utilize microwave thruster technology by sending a probe

into space.
 The microwave thruster is also known as a resonant cavity thruster due

to its usage of an echoing cavity. The echoing cavity allows for momentum

changes to occur. To balance the change of momentum, a quantum vacuum

is also generated around the cavity (White 2014). This follows the Law of

Conservation of Momentum, which states that the final amount of

momentum will always equal the initial amount of momentum (March 2014).

Essentially what occurs is that the magnetic fields quickly push the

spacecraft opposite of the direction of the initial momentum. This impulse

helps to counterbalance any changes in momentum. The quantum vacuum

also salvages the electrons emitted because reusing fuel sources is the best

way to avoid the need to refuel. Referring to Figure 2, microwave radiation

originates from the magnetron, which gives length to the resonance of the

waveguide (Balaam and Micci 1992). These resonance waveguides ensure

that these wavelengths of radiation are staying within the cavity, and not

emitted throughout the rest of the vehicle. The radiation pressure is then

dispersed within the chamber of the tapered cavity, separating the waves

from larger and smaller, thus creating thrust. The thrust will always be

created on the side with the smaller wavelengths as a way to counteract the

larger group of wavelengths. Radiation, thrust, and wavelengths all play a

major role in producing thrust.

 Figure 2: Illustration of Process of Thrusting (Shawyer, 2001)

High Q is how resonant frequencies are measured, to see how thrusters

are working. These resonant frequency measurements are necessary in

discovering the acceleration speeds the microwave drive is capable of

achieving--speeds which will always be limited by Newton's Second Law,

force equals mass times acceleration. In short, this means that acceleration

will depend on the mass of the object as well as the force produced by the

thrust of the engine. To produce force, energy is expelled into the microwave

thruster to create thrust (Shawyer 2005). Then the thrust can be focused

toward one side to produce a directional thrust to assist in maneuvering. The

energy will be transferred from stored potential energy into kinetic energy,

which can be risky due to the Doppler Shift.

The Doppler Shift is a direct result of the Doppler effect, which is the
change in a frequency relative to its source. In other words, this process may

produce negative acceleration, which could be a predicament in future

development. On the other hand, the negative acceleration will still be a

counterbalance to the stored and kinetic energy that will be produced and

needed to be regenerated (Shaywer 2013). This period of negative

acceleration is called the "generator" period. When there is an increase in

the stored energy, an electromagnetic force is created (Yang et al. 2010).

This gives the field more momentum and energy.

Another theory that must be considered is the special theory of

relativity. This theory states that electromagnetic waves and waveguide

assembly form an open system (Cullen, 1952). This leads us to believe that

the thrust emitted from the microwave thrusters still actively interacts with

the waveguide assembly. In relation to Figure 2, the open system allows the

radiation waves to move about the chamber, producing directional thrust.

This process proves the Unruh effect, which is the theory that accelerating

objects warm up the universe (McCulloch 2010). Unruh waves increase

momentum as the thruster moves, causing radiation pressure. The radiation

pressure also influences the momentum as the thruster moves, further

explaining directional thrust production.

Microwave thrusters are intended to be propellantless instruments

(March 2016). To make this happen, Shawyer and his associates would like

to use solar power to produce multiple microwaves that will create thrust.
However, if the microwave thruster is truly going to become a propellantless

icon, it must prove itself (McCulloch 2016). To do so, the microwave thruster

can use solar power, which may be unreliable in certain circumstances but so

can any other fuel source. Solar power is preferable in most spacecrafts to

overcome the challenge of refueling because the sun is a natural resource

and is always available. This allows spacecrafts to always have access to an

energy source. Newton's Third law states that everything must have an equal

and opposite reaction. Being propellantless, there will have to be another

equal and opposite reaction (to follow Newton's Third Law). The end result

will be a production of photons, or quantum lightin other words, more

electromagnetic radiation. In the case of the microwave thruster, the result

are photons (Annila 2016). Because it also emits acceleration opposite to the

direction of thrust, it satisfies Newton's laws.

Directional thrusters, such as the ones used in microwave thrusters,

theoretically can make quick changes of direction possible.. Currently,

scientists,working on the schematics of the next space probe, are trying to

include directional thrusters to decrease the time needed to change

direction. Microwave thrusters already have a "continuous maneuvering

capability," so any threats along the way can be countered. This is important

because if there were to be a meteor shower (Shaywer 2013), then the more

easily the spacecraft can maneuver, the higher the probability that the

spacecraft will survive. Unfortunately, some events are hard to predict. With
the time lapse in communication between scientists and the spacecraft, it

can be hard to maneuver in real time, especially due to the inability to

anticipate a meteor showers pattern of movement. Therefore, the ability to

focus the thrust toward one side is beneficial in times of distress. However, it

could be a problem if the microwave thruster were to malfunction. In such a

case, there wouldn't be an easy way to maneuver the thruster back for

repairs. On the other hand, unlike current spacecrafts--such as the ion

thruster--at least, there is the option to attempt to bring the probe back to

Earth, rather than leave it in space.

The electromagnetic drive, using the microwave thruster, could be

ready as soon as 2051. Even after this year, it may be found in a variety of

different vehicles. Once fully functional, this technology will be able to reach

the deepest depths of space in a matter of hours. The electromagnetic drive

and microwave thrusters will completely revolutionize space travel; it is just

a matter of time and publicity.

All of this information was provided to us from a private institution

called Eagleworks. This company is part of NASA and gained NASA funding.

Roger Shawyer, the creator of the electromagnetic drive, relocated to Britain,

and he is now working for Satellite Propulsion Research Ltd. This company is

currently located in Britain, where they receive government funding in

support of this new innovative technology. He is now able to publically post

all information, without prior approval, on social media.

Cited Sources:

1. Andrews, Robin. "Controversial "Warp Drive" To Finally Undergo

Peer Review. 000000 Interview with

Dr. Paul March IFLScience. N.p., n.d. Web. (2016)

2. Discretionary spending in billions. Digital image. The right scoop.

N.p., 23 Mar. 0000002017. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.

000000<http://therightscoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Trump-

budget-cuts.jpg>.
3. Dr. Harold "Sonny" White: "Evaluating NASAs Futuristic EM

Drive." 000000NASASpaceFlight.com. N.p., n.d. Web. (2015)

4. "EmDrive and 'warp Drive' Are Two Different Things - Nasa's Still

Working on 000000 EmDrive." Interview with Roger Shaywer

International Business Times 000000 RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. (2015)

5. Gilchrist, Karen. "Elon Musk slams Donald Trump's NASA bill

saying it does 000000 nothing to help mission to Mars." CNBC. CNBC,

22 Mar. 2017. 000000www.cnbc.com Web. 23 Mar. 2017.

6. Martin Tajmar and G. Fiedler. "Direct Thrust Measurements of an

EMDrive and 000000 Evaluation of Possible Side-Effects", 51st

AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint 000000 000000 Propulsion Conference, Propulsion

and Energy Forum, (AIAA 2015-4083) 000000 (2015)

7. McCulloch, Mike "Heres the 411 on the EmDrive: The physics-

defying Thruster 000000 Even NASA Is Puzzled over." Digital Trends.

N.p., n.d. Web. (2015) FT. Dr. 000000 James Cullen

8. Miller, Hayley. "Donald Trump Signs Bill Authorizing NASA Budget,

Mars 000000Exploration." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com,

21 Mar. 2017. 000000www.huffingtonpost.com Web. 23 Mar. 2017.

9. PHIL BALAAM and MICHAEL M. MICCI. "Investigation of free-

floating resonant 000000 cavity microwave plasmas for propulsion",

Journal of Propulsion and 000000 Power, Vol. 8, No. 1 (1992), pp. 103-

109.
10. Shawyer , Roger "A Theory of Microwave Propulsion for

Spacecraft" C.Eng MIET 000000 SPR Ltd (2005)

11. Shawyer, Robert. "Second Generation EmDrive Propulsion
Applied to SSTO 000000 Launcher and Interstellar Probe." Acta

Astronautica, Web. 17 Oct. 2014.

12. Shawyer, Roger The Dynamic Operation of A High Q

Emdrive Microwave 000000Thruster IAC14 Review: N.P. Print, May

2010

13. Russon, Mary Anee. "EmDrive: Finnish Physicist Says

Controversial Space 000000 Propulsion Device Does Have an Exhaust."

interview with Dr. Arto Annila 000000 and Dr. Jake Stone International

Business Times RSS. IBT, 16 June 2016. 000000 Web. 24 Sept. 2016.

14. Williams, Matt. "How Long Does It Take To Get To The

Moon? - Universe Today." 000000 Universe Today. N.p., 12 May 2016.

Web.
15. Woolrych, Toby. "Liquid Asset." Liquid Asset. The Engineer,

Nov. 2008. Web. 15 000000 Sept. 2016.

16. Yang Juan,Yang Le,Zhu Yu,Ma Nan (College of

Astronautics,Northwestern 000000 Polytechnical University,Xian

710072,China) "Applying Method of 000000Reference 2 to Effectively

Calculating Performance of Microwave 000000Radiation Thruster"

Journal of Northwestern Polytechnical University Vol 000000 28 No 6

Dec 2010
 Statement of Goals

This piece of work on Microwave Thrusters serves a purpose of

accomplishing informing how important the microwave thruster is to the

electromagnetic drive. Additionally, space travel is a topic which should be

invested in for the future. However, space travel is no longer an important

topic for the US and especially for President Trump. My work here is to inform

the public of how space travel will adapt. Hopefully, the reader has

understood the necessity it is to explore technology that can assist space

exploration. Furthermore, the reader should gain a deeper knowledge of how

the electromagnetic drive, using the microwave thruster, is the future of

space exploration.

I chose to utilize CRAP principles, of contrast, repetition, alignment,

and proximity, to draw more attention to my topic. I chose to write about a

topic which I was passionate about, so that the paper itself would seem more

passionate, and informative. The facts included in my paper are facts which I

can use in the future. These decisions were necessary due to the audience of

individuals who may be uneducated when it comes to space technology

advancements. The message was how space travel is innovating through the

types of engines and how long it will take to travel to different parts of the

universe. The context is necessary due to the decrease in funding to NASA,

as well as the privatization of other space industries. This genre would be

factual, and the mode of delivery is through an informative paper.

Unfortunately, since this technology is relatively new, there arent a lot of

pictures of the technology, which could lead to confusion as to what this

drive will look like. In the next few years, more pictures should be available,

along with exciting news.

I decided to pursue this plan rather than my other ideas, because

space exploration is a topic which I am passionate about. In addition, in my

open letter, I referenced how I wanted to be an engineer. I would like to

specifically be an Aerospace Engineer for SpaceX. I was initially going to

write about Donald Trump and how he is a fraud, the impacts of his

immigration laws, or more. These topics are not that interesting to me, but

the topic of funding space exploration stood out to me. Additionally, after

receiving the okay in class, I realized this was the best option for me.