THE results of a NASA test into “warp drive” technology have been leaked onto the internet — and apparently show it is possible.
The findings appear to be good news — that the new technology that could fly spaceships to Mars, put men on the moon in four hours and make flying cars possible actually works in theory.
The much-anticipated review of EmDrive space propulsion was not supposed to be released until December according to the International Business Times.
But it was leaked into the NASA Spaceflight fan forum on Saturday before it was swiftly deleted by the organisation — but not before sci-fi fans had caught a glimpse of it.
It is not quite the same as Star Trek’s Warp Drive which would get a spacecraft to the moon in less than a second but could get it there in an almost as impressive four hours.
The long-awaited review probed the theory behind EmDrive — a technology invented by British scientist and engineer Roger Shawyer.
The leaked info said researchers said the EmDrive system is “consistently performing”.
Related: NASA Finally Released! Here’s How The Supercool “Ice” Houses On Mars Will Look Like
Mr Shawyer has been working on a “thruster” rocker engine which is capable of huge speeds but simply uses liquid hydrogen and solar power.
When talking to the International Business Times about his invention previously, he said: “This technology is a quantum leap — it would enable vertical takeoff and landing for aeroplanes, it’s quiet and it uses liquid hydrogen as a fuel, so it’s green too.
“We will go to Mars, but the most important thing is what EmDrive will do for the rest of the world. It will be solar power stations, city-to-city long-haul flights using hydrogen. It’s green and convenient and will change our world in the next few decades.”
But his critics say it is, in the words of Star Trek’s Spock, “highly illogical” as in order for a thruster to work something must be pushed out the back to comply with physics’ laws.
But Mr Shawyer says that within his thruster electricity is converted into microwaves. These microwaves then push against the side of the conical device to move it without the need to expel anything in the opposite direction.
As well as revolutionising space and air travel he reckons the technology could solve the energy crisis and help slowdown climate change.
He told the International Business Times: “It’s gonna happen and the world will be a better place for it.”