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First Exotic Space Thruster Test Ends in Explosion

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the not-the-fireworks-they-were-hoping-for dept.

KentuckyFC writes "A NASA-funded test of an entirely new way to control orbiting satellites has ended with the prototype arcing dangerously and parts of the machine exploding. The new propulsion system is based on the Lorentz force: that a charged particle moving through a magnetic field experiences a force perpendicular to both its velocity and the field. So the plan is to ensure that a satellite passing though the Earth's magnetic field is electrically charged so as to generate a force that can be used to steer the spacecraft. The advantage of the idea is that it requires no propellant, which is a big deal since most satellites' lifespans are limited by the amount of fuel they can carry. But the first ground-based tests haven't gone entirely to plan."

7 of 178 comments (clear)

  1. I hope by VeNoM0619 · · Score: 5, Funny

    parts of the machine exploding.

    But the first ground-based tests haven't gone entirely to plan." Good thing they told us that... I was beginning to lose faith in their work.
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  2. Heh by Paranatural · · Score: 5, Funny

    From TFA: And as long as nobody gets hurt, a decent explosion livens up any experiment.

    I'm pretty certain this is how Mythbusters got started.

    Also from TFA: Obviously, a proplusion system that explodes while it is in operation needs some more work.

    I dunno, kinda sounds like how rockets work.

    1. Re:Heh by Arimus · · Score: 5, Funny

      And not to mention the ill fated plan to detonate nuclear bombs behind a space craft as a method of propulsion...

      (Orion programme if my memory isn't failing)

      (On that point when will which ever god or other deity is responsible for our design fix the bloody faulty memory unit and start using error correcting cells?)

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  3. Dirty by Hatta · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'd be concerned if I tested my exotic thruster and it didn't end in an explosion.

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  4. Redefining your way to success! by Chris+Burke · · Score: 5, Funny

    A NASA-funded test of an entirely new way to explode orbiting satellites has ended with promising success!

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  5. Re:Jazzing up the story a bit by eln · · Score: 5, Funny

    Oh sure, it doesn't sound that impressive until you realize the entire craft was covered in a 2-foot layer of solder.

  6. Re:It's Rocket Science by TheRaven64 · · Score: 5, Funny

    You certainly get bonus points for irony using an Ariane 5 as an example of a rocket not blowing up...

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