Responding to Mechanical Antigravity: NASA Scientists Review Proposals for Breakthrough Propulsion Using Mechanical Devices, including the Dean Drive, Oscillation Thrusters, Sticktion Drive

This official NASA document - converted for accurate flowing-text ebook format reproduction - provides a technical review of the problems with devices proposed for breakthrough propulsion using mechanical devices based on antigravity ideas. The abstract reads:

Based on the experiences of the NASA Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project, suggestions are offered for constructively responding to proposals that purport breakthrough propulsion using mechanical devices. Because of the relatively large number of unsolicited submissions received (about 1 per workday) and because many of these involve similar concepts, this report is offered to help the would-be submitters make genuine progress as well as to help reviewers respond to such submissions. Devices that use oscillating masses or gyroscope falsely appear to create net thrust through differential friction or by misinterpreting torques as linear forces. To cover both the possibility of an errant claim and a genuine discovery, reviews should require that submitters meet minimal thresholds of proof before engaging in further correspondence; such as achieving sustained deflection of a level-platform pendulum in the case of mechanical thrusters.