Quote:
On 2002-06-07 03:31, Chip wrote:
Phobos,
Is this the experiment where they use a special laser, firing a series of rapid pulses under a saucer-like shape, propelling it upwards? I remember the idea was to eventually design a model that could attain an orbital altitude. Could perhaps lead to sending payloads into orbit more cheaply than rockets.
The laser used for the first tests (with miniature spinning metallic models), was originally designed for the "Star Wars" defense project.
Chip
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No that was another experiment (but a very neat idea because it does away with 90% of the fuel requirement for the on-board fuel).
Dr Ning Li's work is best summed from a discussion thread from another board:
Skeggs & Ning Li on Gravitational Modification -- Superconductors, varying magnetic field
The popular mechanics url seems to work better with the following link:
Popular Mechanics Link (direct)
They also expand on the story here
ANTIGRAVITY? WELL, IT'S ALL UP IN THE AIR (Business Weeks link)
Dr Ning Li's work seems to have been inspired by the work of
Dr. Eugene Podkletnov of Tampere University, Finland. Dr Podkeletnov managed to get a 2% gravitational shielding effect using superconductors.
More recently, I understand that by stacking 2 layers of "gravitational shields" he was able to
increase the shielding effect to 4%. If this is true then I wonder what would happeen if we stacked 50 layers ?
Phobos
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Phobos on 2002-06-07 06:17 ]</font>