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Sci-fi inspired tractor beams are real, and could solve a major space junk problem
(www.livescience.com)
this post was submitted on 31 Oct 2023
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This headline is a lie: a prototype is 10 years off according to the article ๐ cool research tho. Seems lacking in the practical application side.
Agreed, I also have concerns about shooting an electron beam, the accumulated charge on the tow vehicle is going to build up over time.
I don't think that would happen (very much depends on the set up), but either way it'll just naturally resolve itself. Even in high orbits, there's plenty of gas molecules bumping around, charged things will preferentially bump into things with the opposing charge, so the residual atmosphere can probably carry most of that charge away. It all depends on the relative rates though.
Yes it can dissipate, but you are likely to see some ESD effects.
Curious to see which bus manufacturer eventually takes it on.
Probably just has a relatively short mission profile.
They say their tool is cost effective as it can be used for a long time, so who knows.