Tractor beams inspired by sci-fi are real, and could solve the looming space junk problem

Tractor beams inspired by sci-fi are real, and could solve the looming space junk problem

Researchers are developing a real-life tractor beam, with the goal of pulling defunct satellites out of geostationary orbit to alleviate the space junk problem.

Scientists build an electrostatic ‘tractor beam’ to move space junk safely

A dead satellite can become a high-speed hazard in an orbit that is already packed with working spacecraft. That risk is why engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder are building what sounds like science fiction; a “tractor beam” that can pull space junk without ever touching it. Their work also echoes a parallel idea in planetary defense: nudging an asteroid off course using forces you can control, even when gravity alone is too weak. At…

Sci-Fi-Inspired Tractor Beam Could Be the Future of Space Cleanup

As space junk continues to multiply around our planet, threatening satellites and space missions, a new breakthrough proposes a non-contact solution that uses electrostatic forces to gently move objects in space. The project, led by researchers from CU Boulder’s aerospace engineering department, mimics the principles of the iconic Star Trek tractor beam, only this time, it’s grounded in real science and ready for experimental development. A Safe…