---
title: "Field propulsion"
chunk: 9/9
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_propulsion"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T03:55:18.670066+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---

Broad historical treatments of field propulsion placed terrestrial field-matter coupling systems alongside space-oriented concepts, even though these operate in dense media rather than as propellantless spacecraft. Although not presently in wide use for space, there exist proven terrestrial examples of field propulsion in which electromagnetic fields act upon a conducting medium such as seawater or plasma for propulsion, known collectively as magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). MHD is similar in operation to electric motors, however, rather than using moving parts or metal conductors, fluid or plasma conductors are employed. The EMS-1 and more recently the Yamato 1 are examples of such electromagnetic field-propulsion systems, first described in 1994. 
Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) is another method where electrically charged fluids are accelerated for propulsion and flow control; laboratory and flight demonstrations include ion devices driven by corona discharge, in which a strong electric field ionizes surrounding air to create a thrust-producing flow of charged particles. Magnetohydrodynamic interaction concepts extending magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) to space plasma propose generating thrust by exchanging momentum with ambient charged particles via Lorentz-force coupling. If the interacting plasma is external (e.g., ionospheric or solar wind), the system qualifies as field propulsion.
Magnetic levitation (maglev) ground transport systems are another terrestrial example of propulsion via externally generated fields: maglev employs magnetic forces to lift, guide, and propel a vehicle over a guideway, with propulsion typically provided by a linear motor whose traveling magnetic field pulls or pushes the vehicle along the track.

=== Proposed and theorized ===
These concepts are discussed in aerospace literature primarily as theoretical or exploratory frameworks rather than operational propulsion technologies.

==== Field propulsion based on physical structure of space ====

Minami and Musha frame field propulsion at the physics frontier as interaction with a "substantial physical structure" of space, drawing on general relativity at macroscopic scales and quantum field theory at microscopic scales. In Minami and Musha's framing, propulsive force arises from interaction with a physical structure of space instead of from expelling reaction mass. As one candidate concept, Minami treated space as "an elastic body like rubber" and argued that space curvature could create an "acceleration field," stating that "a space drive is produced in the region of curved space." A 1979 NASA technical memorandum outlined a speculative field resonance propulsion concept that hypothesized thrust from a resonance between coherent pulsed electromagnetic field waveforms and gravitational waveforms associated with spacetime metrics, framed as potentially enabling galactic travel without prohibitive travel times.
Minami and Musha distinguish between two field propulsion concepts: one framed in terms of general relativity and one in terms of quantum field theory. According to quantum field theory and quantum electrodynamics, the quantum vacuum is modeled as a nonradiating electromagnetic background, existing in a zero-point state, the minimum energy allowed by the theory. It was proposed that applying this to an electrically insulating material could, via Lorentz forces on charges bound within the material, affect its inertia and thereby create acceleration without internal mechanical stress. Potential concepts studied by NASA and other parties have included vacuum polarization, engineered spacetime curvature, and zero-point-field interactions; none have been experimentally validated, and all face unresolved consistency issues with momentum conservation.
Several foundational ideas in field propulsion, from Kepler's 1610 vision of "sails adapted to the heavenly breezes", have since been realized in demonstrated spaceflight systems. Meanwhile, concepts once unproven now fly in space, and research continues on the remaining unproven options.

== Demonstrated and proposed systems ==
The following table summarizes first demonstrated usage, operational domain, and development status for field propulsion subtypes discussed in this article, ranging from systems with flight heritage to theoretical proposals.

== See also ==

Bussard ramjet – Proposed spacecraft propulsion method
Emerging technologies – Technology still to be fully developed
History of aviation
History of rockets
History of spaceflight
New Millennium Program – NASA projects to test new space technologies
Non-rocket spacelaunch – Concepts for launch into space
Spacecraft electric propulsion – Type of spacecraft propulsion using electrical energy to accelerate propellant
Timeline of aviation
Timeline of rocket and missile technology
Timeline of spaceflight

== Notes ==

== References ==
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States government.