David Pares discusses the principles, design & testing behind the Variable Electromagnetic (VEM) Drive, a propellantless propulsion system. Their research draws inspiration from observed anomalous flight speeds during thunderstorms, potentially linked to tripole fields and space-time distortion.

The VEM Drive requires no liquid propellant that chemical and ion drives require to move through space. The team has performed replicable demonstrations that the VEM Drive (Version 18) can produce up to three pounds of pull solely on battery power, and plans to construct a more powerful set of drives capable of achieving autonomous lift for space propulsion applications.

Pares aims to scale the technology for faster-than-light travel, initially focusing on a 10-pound thrust variant for space applications like satellite station-keeping and eventually crewed missions to Mars and beyond, significantly reducing travel times. Their research is ongoing, with future goals including a quad-lifter configuration and a microsatellite launch. The team has submitted an unsolicited proposal to NASA for funding.

Harnessing the Power of Nature: Lessons from Thunderstorms

Pares’ research draws inspiration from an unexpected source: thunderstorms. He explains that these powerful atmospheric events generate tripole fields – a discovery made by Earl Williams at MIT in 1984 – and even produce antimatter. More importantly, pilots have documented anomalous flight speeds while traversing thunderstorms, hinting at a manipulation of spacetime itself. One particularly compelling case involves Bruce Gurnan’s flight in 1970, where he inexplicably covered 100 miles in a single second – a speed of 360,000 mph – during a thunderstorm encounter. Similar incidents, including faster-than-normal flights during WWII and other documented cases, strongly suggest a connection between atmospheric phenomena and unusual propulsion effects.

The Science Behind the VM Drive

Pares’ team isn’t just relying on anecdotal evidence. They’ve conducted extensive laboratory experiments, replicating the frequencies found in thunderstorm clouds and observing measurable effects on spacetime. Their experiments, using a modified Cavendish apparatus and interferometry, demonstrate space compression and bending, corroborating theoretical work like Miguel Alcubierre’s warp bubble theory. Crucially, their VM drive doesn’t push against anything; instead, it compresses space in front of it, effectively shortening the distance traveled.

From Lab Experiment to Functional Prototype

The team has progressed from initial experiments in 2012 to a functional prototype, Model 17, which currently generates 3.37 pounds of thrust using only 2800 watts of power. This is a significant leap, considering the power requirements of traditional propulsion systems. Their research suggests an exponential relationship between power input and thrust, indicating the potential for significantly higher thrust levels with increased power. They’ve even submitted an unsolicited proposal to NASA for funding.

The Potential of the VM Drive: Beyond Earth’s Orbit

The implications of this technology are staggering. Pares envisions applications ranging from satellite station keeping (eliminating the need for propellant) to creating artificial gravity in spacecraft, mitigating the negative effects of prolonged space travel on the human body. Their experiments with flies show no adverse effects at 1000 watts, and radiation levels remain within safe parameters.

But the most ambitious goal is FTL travel. Pares estimates that 100,000 watts would be needed for FTL capabilities, a significant but potentially achievable target given their current progress. With this technology, travel times to Mars could be reduced from 10.5 months to just 18 days, and journeys to Saturn or Pluto could be completed in 147 days.

Challenges and Future Directions

The team faces ongoing challenges, including optimizing frequency dependence, refining warp signature mapping, and scaling up the power output. They are also working on a quad lifter configuration for terrestrial applications and a 100 kg microsat for space deployment via SpaceX. Further research into the “pulsing” effect observed after power-off is crucial to understanding the underlying physics.

Conclusion: A Glimpse into the Future of Space Travel

David Pares and his team’s work represents a monumental leap forward in propulsion technology. While significant challenges remain, their progress is undeniable. The VM drive holds the potential to not only revolutionize space exploration but also to reshape our understanding of physics and our place in the universe. This is a story worth following, as it could rewrite the future of humanity’s journey among the stars.