by Jeffrey Beer

The device described below, as invented by the author, is intended as a propulsion system for spacecraft. It is able to generate a forward motion without ejecting mass rearward.
 
Name of device: Relativistic Variable Mass Synchrotron
What it does: Asymmetrical Momentum Force Generator       
 
The "reactionless drive" consists of a circular particle accelerator, a synchrotron. The elecrons would travel around the synchrotron at a constant speed. But, on half of the circuit, the  electrons would be made to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the path being travelled (probably with electrostatic plates), moving as close to the walls as possible with each oscillation. So, there would be a vertical, up-down oscillating movement of the electrons during one-half of their journey around the track.
               
If they were oscillated at near light-speed, their mass would increase over this portion of their journey around the track. Therefore, the momentum generated would be greater on that side of the track and the entire synchrotron would experience a net force in that direction. Of course, with the current technology available, the force would be very small, probably too small to be practical. But, it would still be interesting in that it would demonstrate that a reactionless drive is theoretically possible altogether.

The Relativistic Variable Mass Synchrotron is able to generate a net force using the principles of Einstein’s relativity theory. It is important to note that the speed of the electrons around the track is not changed. Only their vertical motion is changed over part of the track. This way, their variable mass can be used to generate a unidirectional force.

An alternative method would be to have the electrons travel up and down a cylinder with negatively charged electrode plates at each end.  After the electrons (or other charged particles) bounced off the bottom electrode, the group of electrons could be made to spin rapidly in a cyclonic fashion just above the inside wall of the cylinder, in a motion perpendicular (horizontal) to the direction of their journey up the cylinder. By being made to spin at near-light speed, their mass would increase. Then, as the electrons bounced off the negatively charged top electrode plate and were sent down the cylinder, the momentum of the impact would be transferred to the cylinder. During their downward journey, the rotating motion of the electrons would be slowed or stopped, thus reducing their mass. They would then be deflected off the bottom electrode, imparting less momentum to the cylinder than they did at the top. Then, after the deflection, the electrons would be accelerated again before bouncing off the top cylinder. Note that mass is not increased or decreased during the acceleration phase, but only during the time when the electrons are coasting. As a result, there would be a net upward force generated on the cylinder, prompting the cylinder to move upward, provided it is not restrained by a gravitational field or other impediment. The principle is the same as with the circular particle accelerator described above.

These devices, if perfected, would function as a method of propelling spacecraft without ejecting mass.

Just to make sure that everyone understands the principle behind my Reactionless Space Drive, I will present it in a simplified form. Please understand that this is for explanatory purposes only, and that a working reactionless space drive would be constructed differently:
 
Imagine a huge cylinder floating in space, capped at both front and rear ends. There are two giant springs, one at each end. Within the cylinder is a synchrotron (circular particle accelerator) which slides on tracks between the two springs. Now, set the synchrotron in motion so that it starts sliding back and forth on its track, bouncing between the two springs mounted at each end of the cylinder and coasting on the track between each bounce.

Here is the sequence of events:

1)  The synchrotron bounces off the rear spring.

2) While coasting to the front spring, the synchrotron accelerates its charged particles to near-light speeds, thus increasing their mass. Thus the synchrotron taken as a whole (with its charged particles) is now more massive.

3) The synchrotron bounces off the front spring, transferring its momentum to the cylinder and causing the cylinder to move forward.

4) As the synchrotron coasts to the rear of the cylinder, the synchrotron greatly reduces the speed of its charged particles, causing them to decrease in mass. The synchrotron taken as a whole is now less massive.

5) The synchrotron bounces off the rear spring, transferring its momentum to the cylinder, thus generating a rearward force on the cylinder. The cylinder slows down. However, because the synchrotron is now less massive, the momentum transferred to the rear of the cylinder is less than the momentum transferred to the front of the cylinder. Thus, there is a net forward thrust, and the cylinder continues its forward motion.

6) As the synchrotron coasts back to the front of the cylinder, it accelerates its charged particles to near-light speed again, thus causing them, and the synchrotron taken as a whole, to become more massive.

7) The synchrotron again bounces off the front spring, transferring more momentum to the front of the cylinder than had been transferred to the rear, resulting in a net forward thrust.

8) The cycle repeats itself continuously.

I hope that this clarifies the workings of my reactionless space drive. To learn more about this device, visit Jeffrey Beer's Reactionless Drive Newsgroup online.