It appears NASA and the Chinese have been working on and electromagnetic propulsion theory/testing.

http://news.discovery.com/tech/alternative-power-sources/is-nasa-moving-toward-a-hyperspace-drive-150502.htm?utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_520693

Thoughts on relevance and time frame? Plausible for interstellar travel?

Article says we might get to Mars in 70 days, so it's hardly a hyperspace drive capable of interstellar travel. Sounds very similar to ion drives that Nasa has made mentions of in the past 20 years that would probably take a long time to perfect, and even if we got to Mars in 70 days - what would we do there that a robot couldn't do? Take some photos and examine some rocks.

theory and testing?........................


oh you mean they reverse engineered the UFO in Area 51 and are ready to test the Alien engine?

Uhh, nope.

"The technology is largely theoretical, but initial test results have been officially presented, by both NASA and Chinese space agencies. The idea is also quite controversial, since it seems to violate certain Newtonian law of physics.

According to the report, the significance of the new research is that NASA has successfully tested EM propulsion in a hard vacuum for the first time. Previous tests were conducted in atmospheric conditions."

Old news been working on this for 5 years now i think..i remember talking about this in a thread not long ago...has its promises anti matter if can produce a shit ton would be the ideal fuel