Non-inertial navigation devices
Researchers have reached their first goal in the development of 'non-inertial navigation' (NIN) devices.
A joint effort between US companies Appcon Group and Parker Technology has achieved the design, development and test of a 'transverse velocity detector' (TVD) proof-of-concept model in what they believe to be a 'new chapter in air and space navigation'.
The TVD is an opto-electronic device that utilises the independence of propagation of light in vacuum from forces of inertia. The TVD is claimed to be the first ever navigation device that directly measures velocity from within the object in motion - and only the motion itself.
The bench test of the 2x3x6 ins (5x7.5x15 cm) proof-of-concept TVD model produced continuous readings that corresponded to velocities of 67-322 m/s (~130-625 kt).
The companies claim that this successful test has paved the way for development of NIN devices as a new class of avionics.
But at least one sceptical engineer has pointed out that the device would not work, because it is also measuring the velocity of the rotating Earth surface (0-900 kt), velocity of the Earth around the Sun (~58,000 kt) and the velocity of the solar system around the galaxy (~447,000 kt).
The links below give the source as well as interesting descriptions of Einstein's thought process...well worth thinking it out for oneself.