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New System Propels Satellites Without Propellants
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."
So these work like magnetic torquer bars?
"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.)
Now if only there were some earth, solar system, and galactic sized magnetic fields to tap we'll be able to make ugly assed flying saucers.
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.
Why don't they just use magsails?
Don't stop where the ink does.
Sounds like this is basically only useful to help maintain a low-power consumption orbit of heavenly bodies with strong magnetic fields(aka just earth in our solar system).
As in it wont work at all, when removed from the earths magnetic field.
"Electromagnetic formation flight (EMFF) gets around this propellant problem by turning the satellites in a formation into electromagnets. By using a combination of magnets and reaction wheels, spacecraft in formation can move and change their attitude and even spin without propellant. Satellites can change their polarity to attract or repel one another, turn, or shift their relative positions in any manner that doesn't require changing the center of gravity for the entire formation." So its all about formation flying, the satellites will pull/push off each other to remain in the correct formation. They will still needs propellent to move the whole cluster, but they can stay in formation without using any fuel.
Very cool technology but its not a reactionless drive sadly. The magnets merely allow a swarm of sats to hold a formation in relation to each other.
Oh well... darned laws of physics getting in the way again!
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This is for positioning satellites relative to each other. The applications are things like telescopes made of several spacecraft to create a mirror larger than what is practical to launch in one piece.
But this isn't an engine that will allow a satellite to stay in orbit without fuel. They still need a traditional engine with propellant for everything besides adjusting the distance between nearby satellites.
Either you use the magnetic field to move your ship, or you use the difference in potential across long wires to generate power.
This is robbing energy from the Earth to move the space station. Quick, someone call Al Gore!
I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
Or, does everybody else think the guy in the picture is scared to death of the terminator like spacecraft floating around the cabin?
Also...why has it (apparently) taken us almost 65 years to make our own working versions of the propulsion systems used by the alien spacecraft that crashed in Roswell and stored in Area 51? Huh?
Actually, this is pretty cool. Now, the bigger question is whether these devices will be able to maneuver in open space or will they require a magnetic field (Earth, stellar, etc) to function? What is the, theoretically, maximum "thrust" and velocity these craft will be capable of achieving?
Rings? Cmon? I can't be the only one who instantly makes this connection...
As with any technology, wait until the public gets its' hands on it. I can easily see this type of propellant being used in roads, elevators, in our shoes (fuck stairs - we Americans are lazy)... this will be fun
How do they work?
Why we can't do this more simply with gyroscopes and an electrodynamic tether?
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A propellant, by definition, it anything that propels.
So how the hell do you propel without a propellant?
This is a "propulsion system" if you assume that other satellites are your reaction mass. Let's see how effective it would be to get to the Moon by flinging satellites out the back of the spacecraft.
Relevant TV clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Uqv6hlXKU4k&t=25
THis is just changing the orientation of subunits and spacing of subunits without changing the center of mass. It would not seem magical if theywere connected by gears. Here they are doing it with magnetic coupling. But there's no "propulsion" since that implies changing the center of mass.
the chinese have a method for massless propulsion however:
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2008/09/chinese-buildin/
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
Propellant-less floating robot on a spaceship? There must already be footage of the thing floating around with a laser pointer attach and the astronauts swinging tools while making light-saber noises. At least that's what I would do.
Interesting. Opens up the possibility of an orbital tug boat. The real satellite can be moved around the tug boat.
I was immediately taken by how RINGS resembles a fictional spaceship.
Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
Isn't something that PROPELS an object, by definition, a PROPELLANT?