Null-Results of a Superconducting Gravity-Impulse-Generator I.L˝orincz * and M. Tajmar † Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Technische Universit¨at Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany It was claimed by Podkletnov and Modanese 1 that a high voltage discharge through a high-Tc superconductor produces a gravity-like beam that can be measured using pendu- lums up to 150 m away from the apparatus. As this would be of interrest for countless different applications, among them a beamed propulsion concept, 2 it has drawn a lot of attention. Recently Poher 3 and Schroeder 4 designed their own experimental setup to repli- cate a similar effect. In these experiments similar results were reported while using a high current direct discharge through a high-Tc superconductor. Additionally to the emitted gravity-like field that was measured with an accelerometer inside a Faraday-shield in close proximity of the superconductor, Poher also measured a mechanical impulse during the discharge. We previously performed two small scale experiments, 5 with the objective to replicate the reported results and to gather experience. We successfully replicated the mechanical impulse, but we could not generate repeatable gravity like signals. Since our previous results were inconclusive we decided to increase the impulse energy by at least an order of magnitude. We achieved this by replacing our previous capacitors 5 and their charging sub-system, reaching a theoretical maximum impulse energy of up to 0.25 MJ. Our first objective within the present series of experiments was to exclude the most impor- tant error source, which was the emitted electromagnetic pulse that greatly influenced the sensors and data acquisition systems. After this was achieved we investigated the cause of the mechanical impulse, which led eventually in every case to the destruction of the emitter and its support. We could measure no acceleration change during the discharges within our 3σ limit of ±48 μg and thus setting a new lower limit for similar effects. I. Introduction A. Background The experimental connections between superconductors and gravity-like fields started with the publication of the unexpected findings of E. Podkletnov and R. Nieminen 6 in 1992 while a ceramic high-temperature superconductor disc was rotated by using pseudo-rotating magnetic fields. The authors reported a weight loss of a proof mass placed above the disc dependent on its rotational speed. Numerous follow-up experiments were published since with different experimental configurations having the commonality of generating a supercurrent with a superconductor disk and investigating whether this would lead to an emitted gravity- like field. Two examples of these experiments can be seen in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 1 a schematic is shown in which an electric discharge between a superconductor disc and an electrode is performed, emitting the claimed gravity-like field and causing the movement of a pendulum placed at a distance of up to 150 m. In this design the reported discharge voltage, supplied by a Marx- generator, reached values of up to 200 kV and produced peak current of up to 10 kA between a normal metal electrode and a HTSC disc, in which magnetic fields of up to 0.5 T were trapped. The electrodes were placed in a cylindrical evacuated enclosure while the distance between them could be varied from 0.15 to 0.40 m. With this assembly Podkletnov observed a radiation beam emitted along the discharge’s axis that showed gravitation like properties. The discharges between the electrodes were focused with a solenoid wound around the chamber to optimize the reported effect. It was claimed that the impulses measured with the pendulums * PhD Student, E-Mail: istvan.lorincz@tu-dresden.de, Student Member † Professor, Institute Director and Head of Space Systems Chair, E-Mail: martin.tajmar@tu-dresden.de, Senior Member 1 of 14 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics