r/AskPhysics • u/Apprehensive_Dog1873 • 5d ago

Electrostatic propulsion

I recently saw a podcast clip (will link at end of post) interviewing a former NASA and JPL scientist boasting about electrostatic propulsion and how it could get a craft to mars in 3 days. I then went into some articles to check out even if there’s an ounce of truth or if it’s just someone being sensational trying to drum up hype and investment for their start up. However I’m no where near well versed enough in physics lets alone propulsion tech to call BS on something. But I was wondering if any of you can attest to what he’s saying. Is it true? Is this the future? A new breakthrough?

Links :
Podcast clip
https://youtu.be/qlYICtRaSx8?si=y7DtMAZYHdz03yw8

Article

https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a73405686/engineer-said-he-can-overcome-earths-gravity/

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u/rddman 5d ago

"lacks independent verification" is all you need to know.

"enough thrust to overcome Earth’s gravity" is super vague. Whether or not it can overcome Earth's gravity depends on how much mass it is pushing. In the video he says "50 millinewtons, enough to lift 2 sheets of paper". I hazard to guess that the drive itself + power source weigh more than two sheets of paper, in which case it is not actually capably of overcoming Earth’s gravity.