Create a spacecraft that repels from earth for propulsion

Understanding
According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action [force] there is an equal but opposite reaction [force]. This means that, if we only consider Newtonian physics, a mass may only accelerate if it applies a force to another mass. For aeroplanes and helicopters the wings and propellers are applying forces to accelerate the air surrounding its surfaces. The reaction force that the air creates acts to lift or otherwise guide the aircraft. Rockets push a propellant mass out of the bottom of their structure so that propellant mass being pushed downwards also creates a reaction force which acts upwards on the rocket.

If one can exert a downwards force on the earth (or any planet) regardless of how far away one is from its surface then the earth will create a reaction force that pushes back on the mass that did the pushing in the first place. The result would be a spacecraft that can propel itself away from a planet without needing to carry as much propellant around with it.

Method

 * Create a flying machine that uses electrostatic repulsion and attraction
 * Create a flying machine that uses electromagnetic repulsion and attraction

Navigation

 * Transportation
 * Topics (listed alphabetically)
 * Main Page