Scientists are creating a real tractor beam, like those seen in science fiction movies, to tackle a major problem in space, reports space.com.
Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder, US, are developing a real tractor beam to deorbit defunct satellites, solving the problem of space debris.
Similar rays can be seen in several science fiction films in which one spaceship attracts another. However, scientists say that soon this process will no longer be a fantasy, but will become a reality.
Scientists predict that the number of satellites in low Earth orbit will increase sharply in the coming years. The number of inoperative satellites, which pose a threat to other orbiting devices due to possible collisions, will also increase significantly.
As a result, the amount of space debris will increase significantly. In addition, inactive satellites can reenter the atmosphere and contaminate it with metals.
Scientists propose to solve this problem with the help of an electrostatic tractor beam, which will make it possible to move defunct satellites far beyond the limits of low Earth orbit, where they will drift harmlessly in space. The developers believe that this tractor beam can be put into use within ten years.
According to scientists, the electrostatic tractor beam will be placed on a special device equipped with an electron gun that will shoot negatively charged electrons at the defunct satellite.
The electrons give it a negative charge and leave a positive charge on the device that emits the beam. The electrostatic attraction between them will keep them together, despite the fact that they will be separated by the void of space at a distance of 20 to 30 meters. The defunct satellite can then be moved from its orbit further into space without physical contact.
If in science fiction films a ship very quickly pulls another ship towards itself with the help of its beam, in reality such a process will take several weeks. This is because the tractor beam being developed by American scientists will work very slowly. It won’t completely solve the space debris problem, but it’s just the first step toward this goal.
According to scientists, the new device has another disadvantage related to its cost. Preliminary estimates have shown that such a tractor beam would cost tens of millions of dollars. However, scientists believe that after launching a device with such a beam into space, its operation will be profitable.
Currently, scientists are conducting experiments and working on creating a prototype of a new device. Experts who have been introduced to the new project consider it very feasible.
