Charles Buhler, co-founder of Exodus Propulsion Technologies, has detailed a propulsion system that reportedly achieves center-of-mass movement without expelling mass. Buhler, formerly associated with NASA's Electrostatics and Surface Physics Laboratory, clarified that this project operates independently of NASA.
Context of Propellant-less Propulsion
The concept of propellant-less propulsion systems has historically encountered scientific skepticism. Previous efforts include the EmDrive, introduced by British engineer Roger Shawyer in 2001, which claimed to generate thrust without mass ejection. Initial reports by NASA's Eagleworks team in 2016 suggested measurable thrust from the EmDrive. However, subsequent investigations, including one by Dresden University of Technology, did not corroborate these findings. By 2021, the EmDrive concept was largely considered discredited.
Exodus Propulsion Technologies' Approach
Exodus Propulsion Technologies' system differentiates from the EmDrive by focusing on electrostatics rather than microwaves. The team, which includes individuals with backgrounds from NASA, Blue Origin, and the U.S. Air Force, reported observing measurable thrust in 2023. This outcome followed years of testing where earlier devices produced minimal results.
Buhler described the mechanism as dependent on "asymmetry in either electrostatic pressure or some kind of electrostatic divergent field." He stated that this condition can generate a non-zero force component on a system's center of mass, referring to this as a "New Force." According to Buhler, this mechanism enables an object to move by altering its center of mass without ejecting material.
Presentation and Verification Requirements
The findings were presented at the Alternative Propulsion Energy Conference (APEC), a forum for discussing non-traditional propulsion methods. The scientific community emphasizes that any claims of this nature require rigorous, independent third-party verification to establish reproducibility and validity, particularly when challenging established physical principles.