FREEFALL1984

I would modify the design to remove any wobble making the results easier to see and record. Rebuild the machine but have it radially symmetrical both in weight and in dimensions, so the centre of balance of the device is exactly in the centre of the main shaft. Then point the whole thing at the floor and suspend it from dead centre using a cable and load cell. Then record the data recorded by the load cell onto a laptop. if you wanted to eliminate radial movement you could build two identical devices spinning in opposite directions. Once you have your weight over time data you can then determine whether the machine weighs more or less on average than it does at rest this method has far fewer variables than the est above. Also you need to consider the air resistance on the "arms" since it could be effecting the end result be performing a slight flapping action. best option would be to perform the whole test in a vacuum.

Minmus, i find it easier than landing on the mun and the science benefits per landing are far higher and there is a lower dv requirement for the actual landing itself, although there are a lot more biomes on the mun meaning extended missions to the mun are far more profitable. But yeah, i always hit minmus first

Just watched a few videos on this stuff on youtube and read your explanation and the whole prospect of probability waves baffles me

Sorry I'm really confused. So let me say what I'm thinking and you guys can correct me where I'm wrong and let me know if and where I'm right. Radiation is the transference of energy into subatomic particles with no mass. But the energy stored in these particles can only be measured by assessing the waveform, ie a high frequency radiation contains more energy, My layman's opinion is telling me due to the fact that a particle with no mass cannot contain "momentum" in the conventional kinetic energy sense the actual energy is not contained within the particle itself but in the waveform. So the momentum is in fact the momentum of this waveform, which then dissipates due to entropy. Also operating on my layman's logic this means that the universe must be always flooded with photons otherwise there would be no way for these waves to propagate. I know I'm probably miles away from the point here but does that not mean photons don't actually move? instead they just oscillate and propagate waves like water molecules in a pond.

My original comment did indeed state that the altitude effects the escape vector...

Aerobraking and gravity assists are two very different things, The altitude of a gravity assist only really matters if its a powered assist (ie where you burn at periapsis) in which case you want to be as low as possible in order to take maximum advantage of the oberth effect. With a passive gravity assist your angle of escape (or final orbit for gravity assisted braking) is determined by your altitude at periapsis, the lower the altitude the greater effect on the final vector. because the game doesnt use Nbody physics you wont gain experience a notable speed difference between a low peri and a high peri.

Ah ok I just thought radiation was just considered energy and is therefor without mass or momentum.

If some of the kinetic energy is lost as radiation then would that not violate conservation of momentum?

So, I'm a bit of a noob to physics, I enjoyed it in school but never really followed it up in my adult life and particle physics was never on my schools curriculum. I'm starting to get interested in it once again, and was wondering about the properties of electrons. Firstly if I fire an electron at a surface and it is absorbed by the surface, does it impart a force in that surface. Secondly does the act of firing the electron impart a force on the electron gun, I would assume the answers to be yes since electrons have mass like any other particle but would like confirmation. Also is there a material which can reflect electrons fired from an electron gun, and what happens if I fire electrons at a superconductor. Also what puzzles me is the phenomenon known as the photoelectric effect. Meaning photons hitting a surface cause the surface to release electrons, once the surface has lost too many electrons does it simple stop releasing them or do the properties of the material change as the material would have to shed protons to balance itself. also is there a way to force he electrons and protons back into the surface to reverse the process. Also a remedial question I know, but could an electrical charge help to prevent the material shedding protons and maintain its composition, if indeed it would shed them in the first place. If you guys could help me I would much appreciate it, I'm eager to become learned in the witchcraft that is particle physics....

I imagine sales of tinfoil hats will soar... Also would you be able to use the microwave power plant to remotely cook popcorn.

Tidal energy is the future, its a little like wind energy but more reliable and with a much smaller footprint.

What is an EmDrive and how can it seemingly defy the laws of physics by producing a force without the need for a reaction mass.

Indeed you are correct, which verifies my point that the difference between 0 atm and 1 atm is far greater than 1 atm to 2 atm

firstly the number of humans would depend on the nature of the mission, if the mission was to set up a small colony and terraform the planet, then perhaps only a few hundred would be sent in some kind of stasis. However if the mission was to populate and colonize an already habitable planet then there would likely be a few thousand, as well as donor DNA to ensure genetic diversity. The mission would require a crew capable of being woken from stasis at the first sign of a problem and be fully up to speed with the ships systems although the bulk of operations would be automated, at the same time the colony or cargo could be kept in stasis for the bulk of the voyage. The crew would be able to live in an artificial gravity environment provided be a huge centrifuge. The types of people selected would be naturally physically fit, highly intelligent people from excellent genetic stock, they would all be extensively screened for recessive congenital genes to ensure no genetic imperfections or diseases reached the target planet. The stock of colonists would be split about 60% females and 40% males to encourage reproduction and genetic diversity. The voyage could operate at about 10% light speed and reach the nearest systems in about 60 - 80 years. Although the first and manned phase of the mission where the crew remain active would last about 2 or 3 years as the vessel uses numerous gravity assists to build up the speed to leave our system likely making several passes around Jupiters moons and the inner planets. It would likely use some form of high efficiency microwave resonance chambers to provide a small amount of thrust in interstellar space. While for the departure it would use a series of conventionally fueled booster stages to gain speed while a simple RCS system would ensure the vessel meets its transfer keyholes. When arriving at the target system the vessel would use the gravity of other orbiting bodies to reduce its speed to achieve an orbit around the planets sun, it would then transfer to the target planet at the next viable window using the microwave resonance engines to provide just enough thrust. on arriving at the planet it would initially use the microwave resonance engines to slow its decent and use the planets moons to provide additional braking allowing it to brush across the target planets atmosphere and perform a gentle aerobrake into a circular orbit. Now there would be extensive surveying while the colonists are woken, and a network of communications satellites would be deployed to provide a communications grid and allow 2 way communication with earth (although there would be an 12-16 year delay so internet browsing would be limited to microsoft internet explorer) An alternative would be to develop a communication system based on quantum entanglement which in theory would allow instant communications with earth although this is entirely theoretical since quantum entanglement cannot be maintained for extended periods (yet) Now the colonists start making there way down to the surface in drop ships, each of which is capable of permanently housing several hundred colonists, These would all land withing a few hundred meters of each other on a site best determined from orbit. The main mothership, which would now be little more than an oversized laticework of space junk and communications relays would extend vast solar panels and a microwave beam to send power to each of the colony ships while retreating to a geostationary orbit. This should be able to provide power throughout the nights. Each of the colonists would be trained in basic survival in hostile environments as well as the maintenance of the drop ships themselves, They would be trained in farming, resource gathering and the many other skills to survive on the long term. The drop ships would each be packed with large quantity of GM seeds, designed to survive in the planets soil, as well as a diverse selection of livestock DNA which could be synthesized in an artificial womb, The DNA itself could also be modified to ensure the livestock can best survive its new environment. This of course is assuming that the target planet is perfectly habitable, and is an almost perfect analogue with earth (ie abundant fresh water, breathable air, oceans, tides, and wind and precipitation)

Haha yeah fair point,