My Theory on a New Form of Propulsion

Electromagnetic Gyrating propulsion.

First, the electromagnetic component:
This field can be manipulated in wave-like patterns for a distance that is currently unable to be determined by our current technology that measures such types of energy, meaning that it creates a field for a very long distance indeed.  This field can move the electric and magnetic currents in a direction above the vehicle, making so there is no resistance in that form (and, quite possibly, extra propulsion possibilities).  Secondly, this field can essentially eliminate all things resisting the ability of the vehicle of moving off of the ground beyond gravity.

Second, the gyration component:
Gyration creates torque, which generates electrical friction, fueling the electromagnetic component.    With multiple spheres of gyration, gravity could be simulated within the vehicle, while decreasing gravity that affects the external portion of the vehicle (think gyrostats).   Flywheels have been known to store power as well as generate air speed, increasing initial propulsion when taking off in an atmosphere, as well as general maneuvering.

Propulsion component:
Electromagnetic rods are inserted into a highly conductive material (mercury would be ideal, I believe) that are flywheel shaped (perhaps the electromagnetic rods being the flies in the wheel), of which there are three wheels that rotate, 2 moving in a clockwise direction, 1 in a counter-clockwise direction.  These electromagnetic wheels can easily produce power, create necessary electromagnetic fields to "clear" the air of of particles, both electric and molecular in nature.  Initial thrust and moving of the wheels is instigated by ion thrusters.

While obviously a bit out-dated, the electromagnetic energy should be able to be multiplied similar as to how the Cockcroft-Walton generator would generate higher voltages than that which is input into it.

The vehicle would probably need to be multi-component in order to create the proper conditions for ideal travel.  The top capsule would constitute an electro-gyrating flywheel with fans pointing upwards at the center of the wheel, a center section with the ion thrusters on either side, with gyrators between wall layers to simulate a certain amount of gravity, and a third, bottom section, containing a large electromagnetic "battery" bottomed by another electro-gyrating flywheel on the bottom of the vehicle, whose wheels turn in direction opposite of the top flywheel.  Chances are, 3 spheres connected by short but stout passages would be the ideal initial design for prototyping before creating a vessel for more long term arrangements.

For long term travel, spheres would still probably be an ideal design as they would provide the least inertial resistance from the debris flying around in space.  Potentially, the spheres for the front and end could be the same size as the short distance module, but the living and control quarters would have to be quite a bit larger.  From my brief calculations, the other spheres could be about 2.12 times bigger than the front and end and it should be able to sustain eight additional spheres, assuming the passages are no greater than seven feet in length, (bringing the total to 11) before the electromagnetic field would either collapse or not capture the entire vessel, tearing it asunder.

A potential problem with interstellar travel, no matter the propulsion system, is the need for the ability to defend one's self, both in a defensive manner and an offensive manner.  While in space, it would be pretty easy to use a Tesla coil to shoot out carbon atoms very shortly followed by a high amplitude electrical current, which should render most opponents vulnerable to less sophisticated weaponry and boarding procedures.  Another possibility would be lasers, though at the present, we have limited ourselves in how we use them and develop them (they take time and continuous beam to do real damage to thicker and more resistant materials).  A combination of photonic, fiber and solid-state laser technology would gain the best effect while being most easily created as opposed to any other sort due to the parts being in existence already.  Since combat would most likely not be during high speed transport, the electromagnetic portion of the engine should easily be able to be converted to a shield mechanism, which could work by depolarizing the field so as to have an opposite charge as to what was used for transportation and thanks to the Meissner Effect, is easily projected around the vehicle so that any reactions should not cause any real harm to the vessel.  Naturally, it would be unwise to rely only on electromagnetic shielding, so a few thick layers of different materials (including one purely of ozone and liquid nitrogen) to help protect the vehicles innards.

I suppose that the "propellers" don't need to be exposed, and that any air displacement that occurs from their motion would be pointless in spaces as it is.  I still feel, however, that they do need to exist in order to provide the proper power generation source, and that it is singularly more efficient (especially at this point in science) than anti-matter/matter annihilation harnessing based propulsion systems that have been proposed by both science and science fiction.