Undefined Technologies says it successfully tested ion-propelled drone

[Jan]

Startup announces successful ion-propulsion drone test flight

Florida-based startup Undefined Technologies claims it has completed its first outdoor test flight of a prototype ion-propulsion cargo drone, New Atlas reports.

Instead of the typical propellers used to generate a drone's lift and thrust, the company's "Silent Ventus" model uses two stacked electrode grids that create high-voltage electric fields.

 

[CommonSense]

My gut feeling says: "BS"
My understanding of ION propulsion is that it excerts a very slight pressure, but because it happens continually over a very long period the acceleration is constant.
That is why it works in space. You give the craft a kick with a small rocket to get it going, then use a combination of ION thrust and gravitional sling-shot effects around large object like planets or moons to boost the speed.
Over time the ION propulsion accelerates the craft.

I can't see how ION propulsion can overcome earth gravity on its own.

LOL @ High voltage electric fields.

 

[Wut]

My gut feeling says: "BS"
My understanding of ION propulsion is that it excerts a very slight pressure, but because it happens continually over a very long period the acceleration is constant.
That is why it works in space. You give the craft a kick with a small rocket to get it going, then use a combination of ION thrust and gravitional sling-shot effects around large object like planets or moons to boost the speed.
Over time the ION propulsion accelerates the craft.

I can't see how ION propulsion can overcome earth gravity on its own.

LOL @ High voltage electric fields.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....

 

[Robocop]

Not a new idea.

Even MIT demonstrated it's viability

 

[saor]

My gut feeling says: "BS"
My understanding of ION propulsion is that it excerts a very slight pressure, but because it happens continually over a very long period the acceleration is constant.
That is why it works in space. You give the craft a kick with a small rocket to get it going, then use a combination of ION thrust and gravitional sling-shot effects around large object like planets or moons to boost the speed.
Over time the ION propulsion accelerates the craft.

I can't see how ION propulsion can overcome earth gravity on its own.

LOL @ High voltage electric fields.

Afaik it's different principle to the space propulsion.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion-propelled_aircraft

 

[Murmaider]

Still waiting for a "back to the future" hoverboard

 

[CommonSense]

Afaik it's different principle to the space propulsion.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion-propelled_aircraft

Interesting article, but I still don't believe this unless it can be independently verified by 3rd parties.

I think this video has also been edited - if you look at the dark window at the bottom left right above the fence then you see an artifact right before lift-off. That could indicate the video was tampered with to "remove" something.

There is also no close-up view of the entire craft from below whilst it is in flight, you only see it from relatively far away and then also an on-board shot of a small portion of the "thing".

My suspicion is that another conventional drone was actually lifting it and the footage was edited to remove the think wire. The way this "thing" moves in the air also shows that it is not very stable with relatively large movements (as if it was lifted by something else in the centre and air currents upset it.

The complex technology required to control such behaviour would be ground breaking to fit in such a small device and then you would need "thrusters" in different parts working at different speeds in order to stabilize the "craft".

I will gladly accept their working prototype if it can be corroborated by different parties. That is how the scientific method works. You don't just accept anyone's word, you need proof and the result must be constantly replicate-able to be trusted.
We have had plenty of false claims which turns out to be a way for people to "secure funding" for something which doesn't really exist.

 

[Murmaider]

yeah, Looking at the video and their "ice cream sticks with black plastic clips and tinfoil" I dont see how that thing can even fly.

 

[saor]

Interesting article, but I still don't believe this unless it can be independently verified by 3rd parties.

I think this video has also been edited - if you look at the dark window at the bottom left right above the fence then you see an artifact right before lift-off. That could indicate the video was tampered with to "remove" something.

There is also no close-up view of the entire craft from below whilst it is in flight, you only see it from relatively far away and then also an on-board shot of a small portion of the "thing".

My suspicion is that another conventional drone was actually lifting it and the footage was edited to remove the think wire. The way this "thing" moves in the air also shows that it is not very stable with relatively large movements (as if it was lifted by something else in the centre and air currents upset it.

The complex technology required to control such behaviour would be ground breaking to fit in such a small device and then you would need "thrusters" in different parts working at different speeds in order to stabilize the "craft".

I will gladly accept their working prototype if it can be corroborated by different parties. That is how the scientific method works. You don't just accept anyone's word, you need proof and the result must be constantly replicate-able to be trusted.
We have had plenty of false claims which turns out to be a way for people to "secure funding" for something which doesn't really exist.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

hang on what spacecraft use ION thrusters, didn't Voyager 1 and 2 use Ion thrusters to leave the solar system

 

[saor]

hang on what spacecraft use ION thrusters, didn't Voyager 1 and 2 use Ion thrusters to leave the solar system

Are you asking a question or what?

 

[CommonSense]

hang on what spacecraft use ION thrusters, didn't Voyager 1 and 2 use Ion thrusters to leave the solar system

Deep Space 1 - Asteroid & Comet Missions - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Launch and mission summary for NASA's Deep Space 1 mission, which used ion propulsion to visit asteroid 9969 Braille and comet Borrelly.

www.jpl.nasa.gov

I believe the Voyagers used conventional rocket propulsion and then planetary gravitation assist boosts to attain their speed.

 

[RaptorSA]

I think this video has also been edited - if you look at the dark window at the bottom left right above the fence then you see an artifact right before lift-off. That could indicate the video was tampered with to "remove" something.

There is also no close-up view of the entire craft from below whilst it is in flight, you only see it from relatively far away and then also an on-board shot of a small portion of the "thing".

My suspicion is that another conventional drone was actually lifting it and the footage was edited to remove the think wire. The way this "thing" moves in the air also shows that it is not very stable with relatively large movements (as if it was lifted by something else in the centre and air currents upset it.

Yeah no need to even overthink this.
The thing is dangling not flying....

Not even a single breeze hitting the grass on take-off and landing.

 

[Gemaskerde Tuinvurk]

Calling BS. Wonder if myBB staff could share some of the fact checking they did?

 

[neoprema]

too lazy to read this through, i'm only interested in whether we'll be having lunch on Mars by next year.