[civilitty]

> you can propel a boat using a fan that is mounted on the boat itself

You mean like an air boat [1]? Using a sail just makes it less efficient when self powered.

It wouldn't work like that in space because there is no working fluid (air) against which to push - which is what the fan is doing, whether it's using a sail or not. Conservation of momentum would eliminate any propulsion if the propellant is recollected.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airboat

[LastMuel]

Edit: I originally posted that I did not think it was like an "airboat at all". But, I see that they are indeed using an airboat. I am mistaken.

See: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8hvhih