Fuel-Free Boost: Orbital Test Validates Superconducting Supertorquer

Zenno Astronautics’ Supertorquer, a compact superconducting-magnet thruster, was tested in orbit aboard the Mira satellite to demonstrate propulsion and attitude control using Earth’s magnetic field with no propellant. Powered by solar energy and cooled by space-based heat rejection, energizing the superconducting coils creates a controllable magnetic thrust. The first orbital test succeeded, and the company envisions larger systems for docking, close-proximity operations, and even radiation shielding via magnetic fields.