NASA engineer reveals 'impossible' gravity-defying propulsion without fuel

A former NASA engineer has unveiled a propellant-less drive that reportedly generates enough thrust to counteract Earth's gravity. Charles Buhler, co-founder of Exodus Propulsion Technologies, presented the findings at the Alternative Propulsion Energy Conference (APEC) in 2023. The device claims to produce movement without expelling mass—a breakthrough that challenges conventional physics.

The drive's design relies on an asymmetry in electrostatic pressure, creating a divergent field that yields a measurable force. According to Buhler, this 'New Force' allows the centre of mass to shift without traditional propulsion methods. His background includes helping establish NASA's Electrostatics and Surface Physics Laboratory at Kennedy Space Center, lending some credibility to the project.

A team from NASA, Blue Origin, and the US Air Force contributed to the development. The only published experiment linked to the technology is Dr. John Brandenburg's 2023 test, where a 170-gram coil suspended by nylon filaments showed a 0.15-gram weight reduction at 400 Hz. The setup aimed to minimise external interference, though sceptics note the lack of detailed peer-reviewed data.

Previous attempts at propellant-less drives, such as the EmDrive, initially showed promise before independent tests debunked the results. Without full transparency on methods or replication by outside researchers, the claims remain unverified.

Exodus Propulsion Technologies asserts its drive could revolutionise space travel by eliminating the need for fuel. However, independent verification is essential before the scientific community can accept the findings. Until then, the technology stays in the realm of unproven but intriguing concepts.