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miniature hovering robot using pulse jet/detonation propulsion

rocketdodger

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rocketdodger
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Jun 22, 2005
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I am posting this question here cause this is one of the most educated forums around...

I saw some footage on either PBS or the discovery channel a few years ago of a little flying robot that was being tested by some engineers. It was using some kind of pulsed combustion technology for propulsion and could hover, move laterally, etc, in perfect fashion (like a dragonfly).

I have googled pulse jets and PDE propulsion to death, to no avail. Does anyone know what I am talking about? This thing looked about as big as a football. In the footage it moved up and down, side to side, then stopped and fell into a net for landing, at which point the engineers all started cheering. It was extremely loud and sounded like one of those strings of firecrackers being set off.

I would REALLY like to get my hands on an mpeg of this...
 
I remember that- the thing is propelled by a pulsed laser. The model was dome-shaped aluminum construct, and was "captive" in that it slid on a wire.

Apparently, you'd need a REALLY big laser to lift anything substantial, or use it outside the atmosphere.
 
I remember it as well, but I'm blowed if I can find anything about it on the web. Although I don't remember it being dome-shaped; are we thinking of the same thing?

Edit: The one I have in mind is not this, which is what I think Bikewer is getting at.
 
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Ah yeah I didn't think about laser propulsion. I will start googling based on that right away.

But the domed laser craft is not what I am talking about here. The thing I saw looked very angular and complex, and was not shiny at all. Furthermore it wasn't on any wires because it literally moved around in all directions like a dragonfly.

I want to get to the bottom of this...
 
I remember seeing such a device that hovered using pulses of gas emitted from nozzles (similar to the steering rockets on the Space Shuttle.) This gizmo was part of the SDI (or ABM) program, IIRC. Try adding that info to your search.

Steve S.
 
cheers for the link to howstuffworks....the article on the microwave-propelled lightcraft is pretty interesting stuff.....

i remember watching a discovery channel program about the potential of spacecraft to utilise the earth's magnetic field for flight - effectively using the repulsive force between two magnets to create uplift....i'm not sure if this is what ur talking about - if not, and anyone has any information on this theory please post it! :) :) :)
 
rocketdodger said:
I am posting this question here cause this is one of the most educated forums around...

I saw some footage on either PBS or the discovery channel a few years ago of a little flying robot that was being tested by some engineers. It was using some kind of pulsed combustion technology for propulsion and could hover, move laterally, etc, in perfect fashion (like a dragonfly).

I have googled pulse jets and PDE propulsion to death, to no avail. Does anyone know what I am talking about? This thing looked about as big as a football. In the footage it moved up and down, side to side, then stopped and fell into a net for landing, at which point the engineers all started cheering. It was extremely loud and sounded like one of those strings of firecrackers being set off.

I would REALLY like to get my hands on an mpeg of this...
Click to expand...

This is pretty old. The "brilliant pebbles" technology for SDI in the 1980s did this.
 
OMFG epepke I LOVE YOU!!

You don't know how long I have been trying to figure out wtf that thing was...

So the video clip I saw was a hover test of that thing done in 1987 or '89. Almost 20 years ago. Why don't we have flying cars yet? lol

Incidentally, I can't find a video clip anywhere. Guess I will have to keep looking...
 
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