Helical engine

The Helical engine is a conceptual propellantless propulsion system proposed by NASA engineer David Burns in 2019, designed to generate thrust for spacecraft by exploiting relativistic effects on accelerated ions within a helical accelerator structure.^[1] This reactionless drive aims to enable long-duration missions, such as satellite station-keeping or interstellar travel, without the need for traditional fuel expulsion, potentially reaching velocities up to 99% of the speed of light over extended periods.^[1]^[2] The engine's design features a helical structure approximately 200 meters long and 12 meters in diameter, where ions are accelerated to near-light speeds in a closed-loop cycle using electromagnetic fields.^[2] As the ions travel along the spiral path, special relativity is proposed to create an asymmetry in momentum flux, theoretically producing net thrust without violating conservation of momentum in the engine's frame.^[1] For instance, the design could generate approximately 1 N of thrust, requiring 165 MW of power input.^[1]^[2] Despite its innovative approach to addressing propulsion limitations in space travel, the Helical engine has faced significant scientific skepticism, as it appears to challenge fundamental principles like the conservation of momentum and Newton's third law.^[2] The 2019 proposal was not peer-reviewed. Experts, including physicist Martin Tajmar of Dresden University of Technology, have questioned its feasibility, noting that the proposed thrust may not hold under rigorous analysis of relativistic effects.^[2] As of November 2025, the concept remains purely theoretical, with no prototypes built, experimental validations conducted, or further publications from NASA since the initial report.^[1] David Burns, who developed the idea while at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, has since left the agency, and the engine is not part of any active development programs.^[1]

History and Development

Proposal and Origins

The helical engine concept was proposed by David M. Burns, a NASA engineer and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, who served as Manager of the Science and Technology Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) starting in January 2017.^[3] With over 20 years of experience in the U.S. Air Force and subsequent roles in advanced technology development at the Missile Defense Agency, Burns brought expertise in relativistic physics and particle accelerator technologies to his work on innovative propulsion systems.^[3]^[4] Burns developed the helical engine during 2018-2019 as a potential solution to the challenges of propellantless propulsion, aiming to overcome the mass limitations inherent in chemical rockets for deep space missions.^[1] The motivation stemmed from the need for highly efficient systems capable of long-term satellite station-keeping without refueling and enabling interstellar travel by avoiding the expulsion of reaction mass.^[4] Inspired by a thought experiment involving momentum transfer in a closed system, such as a sliding ring within a box, Burns sought to leverage relativistic effects to generate thrust in a closed-cycle configuration.^[4] Early conceptualization involved preliminary sketches and simulations conducted internally at MSFC, focusing on the feasibility of accelerating ions in a helical path to produce net momentum.^[4] These initial efforts, building on Burns' prior familiarity with space-rated components from national laboratories and particle accelerator designs, led to the formalization of the concept in a NASA technical report released in 2019.^[4] Burns was later detailed to NASA's Science Mission Directorate at Headquarters in 2020, and as of 2025, no further developments or publications on the helical engine have emerged from him or NASA.^[3]

Publication and Initial Reception

The helical engine concept was formally published as a NASA technical report on August 19, 2019, under the title "Helical Engine," authored by David Burns, an engineer at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.^[1] The report proposed the engine as a propellantless in-space propulsion system, suitable for long-term satellite station-keeping without the need for refueling or for enabling spacecraft propulsion across interstellar distances.^[4] Initial media coverage emerged in October 2019, with outlets such as New Scientist and Newsweek highlighting the engine's theoretical potential to achieve speeds up to 99% of the speed of light, sparking interest in its implications for advanced space travel.^[2]^[5] These articles emphasized the innovative closed-cycle propellant approach but also noted early skepticism regarding its compatibility with established physics principles, such as conservation of momentum.^[2] Burns himself described the concept as unproven and explicitly called for peer review from the technical community, acknowledging in the report that the design required examination by particle accelerator experts and that mathematical errors might exist.^[4] At the time of publication, no experimental prototypes had been developed or tested, positioning the work as a preliminary proposal open to further scrutiny.^[4]

Design and Components

Physical Structure

The helical engine's overall design consists of a closed-loop helical beam guide, structured as a coiled circular particle accelerator that forms a sealed tubular vacuum line for containing and directing ions along a screw-shaped path.^[4] This geometry enables a continuous, non-ejected cycle of particle movement within the engine, with the helical configuration providing the essential curvature for the ion trajectory. For a baseline model, the structure features two concentric helical cores—an outer core with a radius ranging from 6.5 to 6.527 meters and an inner core from 6.25 to 6.278 meters—yielding an overall diameter of approximately 12 meters and an axial length of about 200 meters.^[4]^[2] The beam path within this setup has a diameter of 5 mm and a total round-trip length of 576.9 meters, achieved through multiple tightly wound turns of the helix.^[4] Key structural elements include the helical coil, which guides the ions in their looped path using electric and magnetic fields, and end caps that connect the outer and inner cores to reverse the directional component of ion travel.^[4] These components form a rigid, integrated assembly suitable for mounting to a spacecraft frame, with the vacuum-sealed tube ensuring containment under space conditions. The design incorporates no moving mechanical parts beyond the internal ion flow, emphasizing a static, durable layout to withstand operational stresses.^[4] Material considerations prioritize compatibility with high-vacuum environments and the generation of strong magnetic fields up to 7.18 tesla, though specific alloys or composites are not detailed in the proposal; the structure relies on conductive materials for field generation and lightweight construction to minimize mass in orbital or deep-space applications.^[4] The ion beam's total volume for the baseline is 11,328 cm³, reflecting efficient packaging of the beam guide.^[4] Scalability allows for variations in size to match thrust requirements, from compact units for satellite station-keeping—potentially reducing dimensions proportionally—to larger configurations for interstellar propulsion, with thrust increasing linearly with power input and ion density or through additional parallel loops for enhanced output or heat management.^[4]

Core Technologies

The helical engine relies on advanced particle accelerator technology to ionize and accelerate propellant within its structure. It employs a coiled circular particle accelerator, consisting of a helical beam guide that uses electric and magnetic fields to propel ions, such as helium or alpha particles, along a closed path inside a sealed tubular vacuum line.^[4] This setup adapts linear accelerator principles into a helical configuration, achieving ion velocities up to 99.05% of the speed of light, with a beam diameter of approximately 5 mm.^[4] A key feature is its closed-loop system for propellant recirculation, eliminating the need for expulsion. The engine incorporates two concentric helical beam guide cores within a vacuum environment: ions accelerate upward in the outer core and decelerate downward in the inner core, forming a continuous loop that confines the particles using magnetic and electric fields.^[4] This design ensures the propellant remains internal, with the total round-trip path length reaching about 577 meters.^[4] Power source integration demands significant energy input for operation, primarily to drive the acceleration process. The system requires around 165 megawatts to accelerate ions, though the decelerator section recovers nearly equivalent power, resulting in a net requirement of less than 10 watts to compensate for losses like momentum offset and radiation.^[4] High-energy sources, such as nuclear reactors or advanced solar arrays, would be necessary to supply this input efficiently in space applications.^[4] Control systems are essential for maintaining precise ion trajectories and thrust modulation. Magnetic fields, peaking at 7.18 tesla, guide ion bunches through undulators that adjust the helical pitch, allowing directional control of thrust by varying the path radius for inner and outer cores.^[4] Sensors and feedback mechanisms monitor ion positions and velocities, enabling real-time adjustments to sustain stable operation within the confined vacuum loop.^[4]

Operating Principle

Ion Acceleration Process

The ion acceleration process in the helical engine begins with the ionization of a propellant, such as helium or other noble gases, which is ionized into charged particles like He++ ions at one end of the helical structure using electric fields. These ions are then injected into a closed-loop beam guide maintained under vacuum conditions to prevent interactions with external matter. The total number of ions required is on the order of 10¹², with an estimated annual propellant consumption of approximately 18 nanograms to sustain operations over a 10-hour ion lifetime.^[4] Once ionized, the ions enter the acceleration phases along the helical path, where they are propelled to relativistic speeds—reaching up to 99% of the speed of light—through electromagnetic gradients generated by electric fields in the outer core of the helix. In this phase, the ions complete multiple loops around the helical structure, gaining velocity progressively while the radius of the path increases slightly, from about 6.5 meters to 6.527 meters, to accommodate the momentum buildup. This acceleration occurs in bunches of ions traveling through the beam guide, with each round trip taking on the order of 1,900 nanoseconds. Following acceleration, the ions transition to the inner core, where they undergo deceleration via an undulator mechanism that reduces their speed to around 99% of the speed of light, accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the helical radius to approximately 6.25 meters.^[4] Path modulation is achieved by dynamically adjusting the helical radius or pitch during these phases, which alters the ions' momentum without disrupting the closed-loop cycle; for instance, the radius expands during acceleration to maintain a constant velocity along the z-axis while increasing the overall speed, and contracts during deceleration for symmetric control. This modulation ensures precise control over the ions' trajectories within the engine's physical structure, which features a screw-shaped beam guide approximately 577 meters in total length.^[4] Finally, recirculation returns the ions to the starting point after completing the loop, facilitated by bends at the top and bottom of the helix that reverse the z-axis velocity through momentum exchange, allowing continuous cycling without expelling mass from the system. This closed recirculation preserves the theoretical mass conservation by keeping all ions contained within the engine throughout the process.^[4]

Thrust Generation Mechanism

The helical engine generates thrust through a closed-loop system where ions are accelerated to relativistic speeds within a helical beam guide, creating an asymmetry in momentum transfer along the engine's thrust axis. Ions, confined in a vacuum-sealed loop, are propelled using electric and magnetic fields that vary their velocity slightly during the cycle, resulting in unbalanced forces at the loop's endpoints. This purportedly produces directional thrust without expelling propellant, as the ions are recirculated rather than ejected, enabling a near-infinite specific impulse.^[4] The core asymmetry arises from relativistic effects on the ions' mass and momentum as they traverse the helical path. During acceleration in the outer section of the helix, the ions' rotational velocity increases, while deceleration in the inner section reduces it, all while maintaining a constant component of velocity along the z-axis (thrust direction). Because the ions exhibit higher effective mass and momentum at one end of the cycle compared to the other due to these velocity variations, the momentum exchanges with the engine structure are not equal, yielding a net forward force. This mechanism relies on the geometry of the helical path to induce the imbalance, distinct from the ion acceleration process itself, which focuses on achieving the relativistic speeds.^[4] As a reactionless drive, the helical engine claims to circumvent traditional propulsion requirements by capturing and reusing the ions in a continuous cycle, with minimal replenishment needed—estimated at about 17.76 nanograms per year for a baseline system—due to the long lifetimes of ions in such accelerators, potentially exceeding 10 hours. The thrust is generated solely from internal interactions, leveraging the path's helical configuration and field-induced velocity changes to produce an imbalance without external mass expulsion.^[4] In baseline designs, the engine is estimated to produce approximately 1 Newton of continuous thrust, as exemplified by a configuration using around 165 megawatts of power and involving roughly 3 × 10¹² ions cycling every 1,943 nanoseconds. Thrust magnitude scales with input power and ion density, potentially reaching higher values in optimized systems. Directionality is inherently aligned with the z-axis of the helical guide, where the ions' axial velocity changes apply force; adjustments to the helix orientation or field configurations could vector the thrust, while any resultant torque from differing core radii can be mitigated using counter-rotating paired engines.^[4]

Theoretical Basis

Mathematical Model

The mathematical model of the helical engine is grounded in relativistic mechanics, focusing on the momentum changes of ions accelerated to near-light speeds within a closed-loop guide. The thrust arises from relativistic momentum transfer of the circulating ions, using the relativistic momentum \mathbf{p} = \gamma m \mathbf{v}, where \gamma = 1 / \sqrt{1 - v^2/c^2}, m is the rest mass, \mathbf{v} is velocity, and c is the speed of light. The force is given by \mathbf{F} = d\mathbf{p}/dt, with parallel components scaling as \gamma^3 m a and perpendicular as \gamma m a, where a is acceleration.^[4] The helical trajectory of the ions is modeled with a varying radius to maintain constant axial velocity, incorporating relativistic effects. The velocity components are projected along the path, with the axial velocity v_z constant and transverse components varying. The net axial momentum change \Delta p_z contributes to thrust through the relativistic factor \gamma. This derivation highlights how the non-uniform \gamma along the helix produces an imbalance in axial forces.^[4] In the closed-loop steady state, conservation equations ensure overall momentum balance while allowing local imbalances for net thrust. Summing these around the loop, the intended balance is \oint \mathbf{F} \cdot d\mathbf{l} = 0 classically, but relativistically, the nonlinearity of \gamma induces a net \Delta p_z \approx 1 N for the baseline design with ~3 × 10¹² ions at near-c speeds, as the integral of opposing forces in accelerator and decelerator regions does not fully cancel.^[4] Performance metrics derive from these equations, particularly the specific impulse I_{sp} = v_e / g_0, where effective exhaust velocity v_e \approx c for relativistic ions. Calculations for high-speed variants, using an ion lifetime of 10 hours and minimal mass loss (\sim 10^{-11} kg/year), yield I_{sp} exceeding $10^6 seconds, up to $1.86 \times 10^{17} seconds, enabling prolonged operation without propellant resupply. The baseline design uses approximately 3.029 × 10¹² ions at 99.95% c, producing about 1.03 N thrust with a system mass of around 10,000 kg.^[4]

Energy and Momentum Analysis

The helical engine's operation demands significant energy input primarily for accelerating ions to relativistic speeds within the helical coil structure. According to the proposal, accelerating a beam of approximately 3 × 10¹² ions to 99.95% the speed of light requires approximately 165 megawatts of continuous power, drawn from an RF accelerator to induce the necessary electromagnetic fields.^[4] This high energy level accounts for overcoming inertial effects and maintaining the ions' orbital paths, with substantial losses occurring through synchrotron radiation and thermal dissipation during the acceleration phase.^[4] To mitigate these demands, the design incorporates a regenerative braking mechanism in the decelerator section, where kinetic energy from slowing ions is recaptured and fed back to the accelerator, potentially reducing the net power requirement to less than 10 watts for sustained 1 newton thrust.^[4] Momentum dynamics in the helical engine rely on a closed-loop system where ions circulate without net ejection, purportedly generating thrust through differential relativistic effects. The proposal posits that no overall momentum is lost from the system, as the ions' helical trajectory creates an asymmetric momentum transfer to the engine structure via interactions with the surrounding electromagnetic fields.^[4] This balance is maintained by the relativistic increase in ion mass during high-speed segments of the loop, where the effective momentum imparted to the engine arises from the Lorentz contraction and mass dilation, ensuring conservation within the isolated system.^[4] The thrust equation, derived from these dynamics, yields approximately 1 newton for the baseline configuration, scaling linearly with the circulating mass and velocity.^[4] Efficiency considerations center on the thrust-to-power ratio and energy recycling, with theoretical estimates suggesting around 1 newton per megawatt under optimized conditions, though baseline calculations indicate lower values of about 6 micronewtons per kilowatt due to radiation inefficiencies.^[4] The system's overall efficiency improves dramatically at ion speeds exceeding 99.99% of c, where the Lorentz factor γ enhances momentum transfer while minimizing propellant needs, achieving a specific impulse on the order of 10¹⁷ seconds.^[4] However, practical efficiency is limited by imperfect energy recovery and field containment losses, necessitating advanced superconducting materials to approach these ideals.^[4] Relativistic effects play a pivotal role in amplifying thrust, as ions approaching the speed of light (v ≈ c) experience a γ factor that scales the effective mass and momentum by up to γ³ for longitudinal accelerations.^[4] In the helical path, this manifests as greater force during the axial velocity component compared to the radial one, where scaling is only by γ, creating a net directional impulse without violating closed-system conservation.^[4] For instance, at 99.05% c, the γ value is approximately 7.3, substantially boosting the thrust output relative to non-relativistic designs; γ exceeds 10 at velocities above 99.5% c.^[4]

Criticisms and Feasibility

Alleged Violations of Physics

The helical engine's proposed closed-loop design, in which ions are accelerated and recirculated without expulsion, has been criticized for violating the conservation of momentum, a cornerstone of classical and relativistic physics. In such a system, any internal forces applied to the ions must result in equal and opposite reactions within the engine itself, preventing net thrust on the overall structure, as required by Newton's third law. This reactionless propulsion concept implies that momentum could be generated from nothing, which contradicts established principles confirmed by numerous experiments in particle accelerators.^[6]^[2] Critics further argue that the engine's reliance on recycling propellant in a looped path raises issues with energy conservation, resembling a perpetual motion machine where energy input does not balance output through efficient momentum transfer. Although the design incorporates external power to accelerate particles, the claimed thrust efficiency would require energy creation without corresponding losses or exhaust, violating the first law of thermodynamics. This concern is amplified by the engine's high power demands—estimated at 165 megawatts for just 1 newton of thrust—without a mechanism to account for the full energy-momentum tensor in relativistic conditions.^[6]^[2] Relativistic inconsistencies arise from the engine's purported exploitation of mass-velocity relations, where particles allegedly gain effective mass during acceleration in one direction but not the reverse, leading to unbalanced forces in non-inertial frames. However, special relativity dictates that such mass increases are frame-dependent and do not yield net propulsion when the total four-momentum of the system is conserved, as demonstrated in collider experiments where no anomalous thrust has been observed. Experts note that the helical path's curvature and varying velocities misapply Lorentz transformations, failing to produce the directional asymmetry claimed.^[6] The helical engine draws comparisons to the electromagnetic drive (EM Drive), another reactionless concept that promised propellant-free thrust but ultimately failed rigorous experimental validation due to measurement errors and adherence to conservation laws. Like the EM Drive, the helical engine's theoretical framework has been scrutinized for similar flaws in interpreting quantum or relativistic effects to bypass classical prohibitions on closed-system propulsion. Independent analyses, including those from particle physics communities, reinforce that both ideas overlook the invariance of momentum across reference frames.^[2]

Scientific Responses and Debates

Upon its proposal in 2019, the helical engine concept faced immediate skepticism from physicists and space science commentators, who argued it fundamentally violated established principles of physics. In an article published by Universe Today, astrophysicist Paul M. Sutter described the design as a reactionless drive akin to the EM Drive, asserting that relativistic effects such as time dilation and length contraction would cancel out any purported net thrust, resulting in equal forces at both ends of the system.^[7] Similarly, physicist Ethan Siegel, writing in Forbes, critiqued the engine's reliance on a misunderstanding of special relativity, explaining that the total momentum of the system—including the oscillating ring, enclosing box, and applied fields—remains conserved, preventing any net propulsion despite the ring's relativistic mass increase.^[6] Siegel emphasized that particle accelerator experiments, achieving speeds up to 99.99999% of light, consistently uphold momentum conservation, rendering the helical engine's claims untenable.^[6] The designer, NASA engineer David Burns, acknowledged potential flaws in responses to these critiques. In interviews, Burns admitted that mathematical errors might exist in his analysis and conceded the concept's massive inefficiency, yet he advocated for empirical testing to verify its viability, stating, "I’m comfortable with throwing it out there. If someone says it doesn’t work, I’ll be the first to say, it was worth a shot."^[2] He further noted the risk of embarrassment, comparing it to unproven ideas like cold fusion, but suggested ground-based experiments could reveal unforeseen effects, such as momentum conservation through ion spin or energy recovery from waste heat.^[2] Experts like Martin Tajmar of Dresden University of Technology reinforced the rebuttals, pointing out that all known inertial propulsion systems fail in frictionless environments due to the action-reaction principle.^[2] The helical engine has not undergone formal peer review in scientific journals; it was released solely as a NASA Technical Report in 2019, limiting scrutiny to informal analyses and media discussions.^[4] From 2020 to 2025, broader debates in propulsion research have occasionally linked the concept to quantum vacuum thrusters and other reactionless drives, with ongoing skepticism in technical forums highlighting the absence of experimental validation or resolution, as no prototypes have demonstrated thrust.^[8]

Potential Applications

These potential applications are entirely theoretical, as the helical engine has not been experimentally validated and faces significant skepticism regarding its physical feasibility as of 2025.

Near-Term Space Uses

The helical engine has been proposed for satellite station-keeping in geostationary orbits, enabling long-term maintenance without the need for propellant refueling.^[4] This application leverages the engine's low-thrust capability, estimated at approximately 1 N when powered by 165 MW, to counteract orbital decay and atmospheric drag over extended periods.^[4] By utilizing solar energy as the power source, the system could reduce the frequency of resupply missions, thereby extending satellite operational lifespans in Earth orbit.^[4] In orbital maneuvering scenarios, the helical engine could facilitate efficient station changes for satellite constellations in low-Earth orbit, such as those used for global communications networks.^[4] Thrust output scales linearly with input power and ion density, allowing for adjustable performance to support precise adjustments without expending traditional fuels.^[4] For instance, increasing power by a factor of 100 would proportionally enhance thrust, making it suitable for repositioning maneuvers in dense orbital environments.^[4] Integration with existing propulsion systems is feasible, particularly through hybrid configurations that combine the helical engine with solar sails for auxiliary thrust or ion thrusters for higher-acceleration phases, enhancing overall mission flexibility.^[4] The engine's design, which incorporates a compact cyclotron and microwave tube assembly, could also replace traditional reaction wheels for attitude control by employing counter-rotating units to manage torque, thereby simplifying satellite architectures.^[4] Economically, the elimination of propellant needs in low-Earth orbit operations offers significant cost savings, as the engine requires only minimal ion replenishment—approximately 17.76 ng per year—with an extraordinarily high specific impulse of 1.86 × 10¹⁷ seconds.^[4] This propellantless operation minimizes launch mass penalties and reduces lifecycle expenses for commercial satellite fleets, potentially lowering the overall cost of maintaining large constellations.^[4]

Long-Term Interstellar Prospects

If validated, the helical engine could enable interstellar travel by delivering sustained thrust without propellant, allowing spacecraft to gradually accelerate to relativistic velocities over extended periods. The design leverages ions accelerated to up to 99.05% of the speed of light within a closed helical loop, potentially powering missions across interstellar distances when coupled with a nuclear reactor. This approach would permit continuous operation for years or decades, contrasting with traditional propulsion systems limited by fuel mass.^[4]^[5] For a mission to Alpha Centauri, approximately 4.37 light-years away, the engine's low-thrust profile—equivalent to about 1 newton for a large-scale prototype—would require prolonged acceleration, but could theoretically reduce travel times from over 78,000 years using current spacecraft speeds, such as that of New Horizons, to a more feasible duration with sufficient onboard power. At near-light speeds, such as 99% of c, the journey could approach several years in Earth frame time, with significant time dilation shortening the experienced duration for the spacecraft. This capability positions the helical engine as a potential enabler for robotic probes to nearby stars, though achieving full relativistic effects demands immense energy input over mission lifetimes.^[9]^[10] Scalability remains a key challenge, as thrust scales linearly with input power and ion density, necessitating massive energy sources such as advanced nuclear reactors to achieve meaningful acceleration for interstellar-scale missions. A prototype engine spanning 200 meters in length might require hundreds of megawatts, highlighting the need for breakthroughs in compact, high-output power systems to make the technology practical for large spacecraft. Without such advancements, the engine's efficiency at ultra-relativistic speeds (≥99.99% c) cannot be fully realized for long-haul propulsion.^[4]^[10] If proven feasible, the helical engine could represent a paradigm shift in space travel, offering a closed-cycle alternative to light sails—which rely on external photon pressure—or nuclear pulse drives, which expend finite propellant. As the proposal describes it, this system might be "the only practical long duration interstellar engine based on existing technology," fundamentally altering humanity's reach into the cosmos by decoupling propulsion from mass expulsion.^[4]^[5]