Scientists to study new propulsion idea for spacecraft:

"Spacecraft and satellites could in future be launched into space without the need
for fuel, thanks to a revolutionary new theory.

Dr. Mike McCulloch, from the University of Plymouth, first put forward the idea of
quantised inertia (QI) - through which he believes light can be converted into
thrust - in 2007.

He has now received $1.3 million from the United States Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency (DARPA) for a four-year study which aims to make the concept a
reality.

The QI theory predicts that objects can be pushed by differences in the intensity
of so-called Unruh radiation in space, similar to the way in which a ship can be
pushed towards a dock because there are more waves hitting it from the seaward
side.

The theory has already predicted galaxy rotation without dark matter, and the fact
that if a system is accelerated enough - such as a spinning disc or light bouncing
between mirrors - the Unruh waves it sees can be influenced by a shield.
Therefore, if a damper is placed above the object, it should produce a new kind of
upwards thrust."

See:

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Sc... raft_999.html