Did the orbital test of the IVO Quantum Drive produce a real thrust signal in orbit—or did an ambitious experiment leave us with an intriguing but unresolved anomaly?
Physicist and author Dr. Mike McCulloch, originator of Quantised Inertia, describes the IVO Ltd.’s attempt to test a propellantless electric-drive concept in space.
Mike developed Quantized Inertia as a proposed physical explanation for inertia based on acceleration, Unruh radiation, relativistic horizons, and restrictions on quantum-vacuum modes. He has applied the theory to problems ranging from galaxy rotation and particle masses to laboratory thrust experiments and future propulsion.
The path to orbit began after IVO CEO Richard Mansell contacted Mike in 2019. Building on earlier capacitor experiments, IVO developed its own stacked-capacitor hardware, conducted pendulum and high-vacuum tests, and partnered with Rogue Space Systems to fly the experiment.
The first opportunity launched aboard Rogue’s BARRY-1 satellite on SpaceX Transporter-9 in November 2023. Power-system and communications problems aboard the host spacecraft prevented the Quantum Drives from ever being activated.
A second attempt flew aboard Rogue’s OTP-2 satellite, launched on SpaceX Transporter-13 in March 2025. According to Mike’s current account, the team later reported an apparent thrust response, but a problem involving the testing hardware and command-and-control system limited drive operation to less than approximately one minute per day. That prevented the large, unmistakable orbital maneuver the team had hoped to demonstrate.
Mike subsequently compared OTP-2 with a reportedly similar satellite and calculated that the IVO spacecraft experienced approximately 600 meters less orbital decay over three months. He argues that the difference is in the general range expected from intermittent drive operation—but he also emphasizes that the result is not conclusive and could have a conventional explanation, including a possible Lorentz force.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
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