Comment by abrahamsen on 06/08/2014 at 12:32 UTC

16 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)

View submission: xkcd: Quantum Vacuum Virtual Plasma

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The point is that the effect may have a mundane explanation. It is too early to get excited.

I'm pretty sure Randell is enough of a scientist to find a quantum vacuum drive exciting, even if it is impractical. And certain he wouldn't dismiss it as impractical from a simple proof of concept experiment.

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Comment by smashedsaturn at 06/08/2014 at 15:29 UTC

5 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Even if they can get a milinewton of thrust from this then it is far from impractical. Solar and nuclear power are very plentiful in space and not having to carry reaction mass is a game changer