> Though if NASA have chosen to enter into a contract them that gives a big credibility boost. It'll be very interesting to see how it goes.
NASA also funded experiments into the microwave engine thing [1], and that turned out to be bunk [2].
The point is, these are just tests. They give them a fair shake and see what happens. I highly suspect there are simply too many problems with flinging stuff into space for it to be practical.
Plus the soul of NASA is innovating material and techniques for doing what can't yet be done -- even attempting the plainly impossible is likely to give engineers a fair shot at inventing something novel just trying to make it work.
NASA also funded experiments into the microwave engine thing [1], and that turned out to be bunk [2].
The point is, these are just tests. They give them a fair shake and see what happens. I highly suspect there are simply too many problems with flinging stuff into space for it to be practical.
[1] https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/nasa-impo...
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RF_resonant_cavity_thruster