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New System Propels Satellites Without Propellants

Posted by samzenpus on from the gliding-into-the-future dept.

cylonlover writes "Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) are testing a new propulsion system ... inside the station. While this might seem like the height of recklessness, this particular system doesn't use rockets or propellants. Developed in the University of Maryland's Space Power and Propulsion Laboratory, this new electromagnetic propulsion technology called the Resonant Inductive Near-field Generation System (RINGS) uses magnetic fields to move spacecraft as a way to increase service life and make satellite formation flying more practical."

4 of 85 comments (clear)

  1. Phew! by pr0nbot · · Score: 4, Funny

    "While this might seem like the height of recklessness, this particular system doesn't use rockets or propellants" ... just magnetic fields, so that's ok then, good think there's no electronic equipment up there or anything!

    (I'm sure they know what they're doing, it's just that the summary seemed retarded.)

    1. Re:Phew! by bondsbw · · Score: 5, Funny

      As an expert at Kerbal Space Program, I can say for sure that using such a system will result in crashing into the nearest moon. As does everything.

      --
      All my liberal friends think I'm a conservative, all my conservative friends think I'm a liberal.
    2. Re:Phew! by gman003 · · Score: 4, Funny

      As a KSP player, I'm impressed that you manage to get all of your craft out of the atmosphere without destroying themselves. Hell, some of mine collapse on the launch pad.

  2. Old news by oodaloop · · Score: 4, Funny

    This technology has been used in hoverboards since at least 2015.

    --
    Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.