Periodically, we receive questions related to the EmDrive — a hypothetical engine that, according to its developers, generates thrust using standing electromagnetic waves in a closed resonator. Here’s one such question:
Tell us about the latest EmDrive tests. Have they confirmed or disproven it? Is the idea viable at all?
Let’s delve into it together.
The Emergence of EmDrive
The EmDrive engine was proposed by British engineer Roger Shawyer in 1999. Simultaneously, Shawyer published several papers explaining the working principles of his engine. Shawyer conducted several demonstrations of his engine in the following years, which he claimed produced thrusts of 0.02 and 0.1 N.
Due to extensive press coverage, Shawyer’s project garnered interest from scientists in various countries. Scientists from China, the USA, Germany, the UK, and other countries pursued experiments related to EmDrive at different times.
Theory
Questions about the theoretical basis of the engine’s operation immediately arose. It was evident from Shawyer’s publications that he had a poor understanding of the physics aspects he was attempting to reason about. In particular, his grasp of the nature of electromagnetic radiation…
