Menu

Blog

Jul 31, 2019

Propellantless propulsion system could keep satellites in orbit, reduce space junk

Posted by in category: satellites

Circa 2018


One of the main factors limiting the life of satellites is how much propellant they can carry to execute orbital corrections. Now scientists in Spain have come up with a propellantless propulsion system that also doubles as an electric generator. Using the Earth’s magnetic field interacting with a 2-km long aluminum tether, the system could be used to dispose of space debris and boost the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS).

Comments are closed.