In 2001, British electrical engineer Roger Shawyer unveiled the EmDrive, often dubbed the “impossible drive.” The device gained attention because Shawyer claimed it could generate thrust without using any propellant. If accurate, it would function as a reactionless drive—seemingly moving forward without expelling anything in the opposite direction.
Such a concept directly challenges the law of conservation of momentum, one of the fundamental principles of physics.
Unsurprisingly, the claim was met with skepticism. Over the years, the EmDrive has produced intriguing but inconclusive results, including a reported thrust signal from NASA’s Eagleworks team in 2016. However, more rigorous testing eventually cast doubt on those findings. In 2021, Dresden University of Technology researchers found no measurable thrust, turning the claim into a case study in experimental error, tiny-force measurement limits, and confirmation bias.
Propellant-Free Propulsion After the EmDrive
But interest in propellant-free propulsion did not end with the EmDrive.The idea resurfaced via Exodus Propulsion Technologies, linked to electrostatics expert Charles Buhler; his Kennedy Space Center background lends it more credibility than typical fringe propulsion claims.
At NASA, Buhler helped set up an electrostatics lab at Kennedy Space Center; later, through Exodus, he claimed this research led to a propellantless “New Force” from electric fields capable of countering gravity.
It should be noted that this propulsion research is being conducted independently by Exodus. While Buhler’s NASA background and electrostatics expertise are documented, the propulsion claims are not part of NASA work and remain those of a private company.
Buhler Claims Discovery of a “New Force” from Electric Fields Alone
Buhler told The Debrief that the key takeaway for the public is the announcement of a significant discovery. He described it as a “new force” suggesting that electric fields alone may be able to produce a sustained force on an object, enabling its center of mass to move without the need to eject mass.
He also emphasized that the research is not connected to NASA. Much of the discussion has taken place within the Alternative Propulsion Energy Conference (APEC), which explores advanced propulsion concepts from established engineering to unverified ideas.
In a conversation with APEC co-founder Tim Ventura, Buhler said his electrostatics background informed his team’s work on propellantless propulsion. He claimed the team—reportedly including former NASA, Blue Origin, and U.S. Air Force personnel saw early thrust gains that improved over time, and by 2023 the system could counter Earth’s gravity.
Ongoing Testing and Reported Vacuum Chamber Experiments in 2026
Event listings from APEC in early 2026 described ongoing testing and refinement led by Exodus co-founder Andrew Aurigema. In a March 2026 interview, Buhler said he conducted about 2,000 vacuum chamber experiments and observed effects, including thrust, that allegedly persisted after power was switched off.
The company Exodus has also begun engaging more directly with investors. A Deep Tech Week NYC 2026 listing promoted a meet-and-greet with Exodus Propulsion Technologies, inviting researchers and investors to discuss the technology with Buhler.
As of May 2026, there has been no independently published replication using a separate laboratory’s own equipment and measurement methods.
Bühler added that systems with asymmetrical electrostatic pressure or divergent electric fields could, in principle, produce a net force on an object’s center of mass under certain conditions.
Claims vs. Past Propellantless Propulsion Failures
Buhler’s claims are undeniably striking and, if accurate, would be highly significant. However, many propellantless propulsion claims initially seemed promising but failed under rigorous scrutiny.
Even within APEC, independent replication is treated as the central unresolved issue. The group also emphasizes that securing a patent does not constitute scientific validation. Professional research credibility depends on documented methods, quantified uncertainty, and independent replication—not presentations or conference attention.
Until multiple third-party teams can reliably reproduce the reported effects, cautious skepticism remains warranted. While it’s possible Buhler’s team saw a new physical phenomenon, it’s unlikely without strong, repeatable experimental evidence.
Read the original article on: popularmechanics
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