Tag

Propulsion

All articles tagged with #propulsion

technology5 days ago•104 min saved

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.

via Space|

#propulsion #satellites #space

technology12 days ago•5 min saved

China forms national VLEO alliance as sub-300 km sats prove endurance

China has formed a national VLEO Technology Innovation and Industry Development Alliance backed by 34 organizations, while Shiyan-25 (~270 km) and Qiankun-1 (~252 km) demonstrate sustained operations below 300 km and Haishao-1 sits at ~370 km, highlighting ongoing sub-300 km capability. Growing private propulsion efforts—air-breathing plasma engines from Shanhai Xingyao and Fudan University—reflect rising investment as global VLEO activity shifts toward larger programs and systematic development.

via SpaceNews|

#china-space #industry-alliance #propulsion

science1 month ago•14 min saved

From the stars to Earth: the engineering hurdles of interstellar travel

An aerospace engineer explains that while physics does not prohibit interstellar travel, the vast distances between stars, energy and fuel requirements, and design trade-offs create immense engineering barriers; beamed propulsion could push a ship without onboard fuel but can’t decelerate, while onboard options like chemical, antimatter, or fusion propulsion face mass, energy, and material challenges, making a visit from an advanced civilization highly unlikely without revolutionary tech and proximity.

via The Conversation|

#antimatter-propulsion #beamed-propulsion #fusion-propulsion

space2 months ago•6 min saved

Mars City by Asteroid Belt: A Two-Stop Route to Metals

A new arXiv preprint argues a permanent Martian city could be built not from Earth-supplied materials or local Martian ore, but by mining metallic asteroids in the Main Belt and refueling en route to Mars via a two-stop route. A Starship-like craft would first visit an M-type asteroid for metals, then a nearby C-type asteroid for water and propellants (ISPP), before returning to Mars within a 6.4 km/s delta-v capacity, with about 22 asteroid pairs available in a 2040 launch window. The plan could deliver roughly 200 tons of metal over 20 years, but each trip would take about a decade due to orbital timing, and ISPP would fill the 1,100-ton propellant tank at only ~2 kg/day—requiring more than 1,500 years—unless propulsion tech advances. While non-chemical propulsion could change the math, the study concludes asteroid mining is physically feasible yet faces major practical hurdles, ultimately suggesting Mars could host its own space-based industrial backbone rather than a perpetual Earth supply chain.

via Indian Defence Review|

#asteroid-mining #delta-v #in-situ-resource-utilization

technology5 months ago•9 min saved

Quadcopter Breaks World Speed Record at 657 km/h

A team led by Luke Maximo Bell set a new drone speed record by achieving an average speed of 657 km/h with a redesigned V4 quadcopter featuring upgraded engines, props, and a larger 3D-printed body, tested via simulations and printed on a Bambu Lab H2D. A follow camera attempt with a 360-degree setup was not finalized, keeping the door open for future challengers while noting that prop airplanes have exceeded 800 km/h.

via Hackaday|

#3d-printing #drone #propulsion

science9 months ago•18 min saved

Exploring Anti-Gravity Propulsion Technologies

The article explores the history, experiments, and theories surrounding anti-gravity propulsion, highlighting its potential to revolutionize space travel, the challenges in replicating experimental results, and the role of government disinformation and conspiracy theories in the field.

via Freethink|

#anti-gravity #experiments #propulsion

technology1 year ago•3 min saved

Europe advances hypersonic and spaceplane technology with INVICTUS and ESA projects

INVICTUS is a European research program led by ESA and Frazer-Nash to develop hypersonic technologies for reusable vehicles capable of Mach 5 flight, focusing on advanced propulsion systems and spaceplane capabilities, with industry and academic collaboration to test and demonstrate key technologies for future aerospace applications.

via European Space Agency|

#esa #hypersonic #invictus

science1 year ago•3 min saved

NASA's New Propulsion Tech Aims to Unlock Sedna's Mysteries in Under a Decade

Researchers have proposed two advanced propulsion technologies—direct fusion drive and solar sails with thermal desorption—that could enable humanity to reach Sedna within a decade, potentially allowing for detailed exploration or quick flybys of this distant solar system object.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#fusion-drive #nasa #propulsion

space-exploration2 years ago•4 min saved

"Sun Slingshot Could Propel Fastest Spacecraft Ever"

NASA is exploring a new propulsion method involving a heat shield and solar thermal propulsion system to enable spacecraft to perform an Oberth maneuver around the sun, potentially making them the fastest ever. The project, led by Jason Benkoski, has developed a material capable of withstanding high temperatures and identified methane as the most practical fuel. However, further research is needed, and the project has not yet advanced to Phase II.

via Phys.org|

#nasa #oberth-maneuver #propulsion

space2 years ago•3 min saved

"NASA Successfully Deploys Basketball-Court-Sized Solar Sail for Deep Space Propulsion"

NASA successfully deployed one quadrant of a huge solar sail at Redwire Space's facility in Colorado, marking a significant milestone in experimental spacecraft propulsion using solar radiation. Solar sails harness and reflect sunlight to generate propulsion, making them suitable for low-mass missions in novel orbits without the need for fuel. The technology, now at TRL 6, could soon propel low-cost, long-duration space missions and even accelerate missions beyond the solar system, with potential future use of lasers to accelerate the sails to high speeds.

via Space.com|

#deep-space #nasa #propulsion

space-technology2 years ago•3 min saved

"NASA's Innovative Solar Sail Propulsion System Ready for Deep Space Missions"

NASA's solar sail technology has reached Technology Readiness Level 6, making it available for inclusion in mission proposals. The sail, developed over 25 years, is designed to provide precision navigation through space and could enable missions close to the Sun. Solar sails work by reflecting sunlight and offer an efficient, fuel-free propulsion method for uncrewed space missions. The technology has been successfully demonstrated in previous missions, and proposals for its use in upcoming missions are now being sought.

via The Register|

#nasa #propulsion #solar-sail

space-technology2 years ago•2 min saved

"Scottish Scientists Showcase Self-Consuming Rocket Engine"

Engineers at the AIAA SciTech Forum showcased the Ouroborous-3, a self-eating rocket engine prototype that generated 100 newtons of thrust in Scotland. The concept involves the rocket consuming its own fuselage, allowing for the use of more energetic liquid propellants and potential for smaller launch vehicles. The team aims to conduct a suborbital test flight by 2027 and has received funding from the UK Space Agency and UKRI for further development.

via The Register|

#autophage-engine #propulsion #rocket-engine

space-technology2 years ago•1 min saved

"ESA Develops Revolutionary Pinhole Propulsion System for Satellites"

European Space Agency (ESA) is developing a palm-sized propulsion system called ATHENA, which uses electrospray technology to propel CubeSats and small satellites. The system, based on ionic-liquid salts as fuel, achieved over 400 hours of continuous operation and offers highly customizable thrust. The micro-fabricated ATHENA system uses non-toxic propellants and can be clustered together to provide thrust for satellites up to 50kg in mass. The project is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

via European Space Agency|

#cubesats #electrospray #ion-propulsion

science-and-technology2 years ago•2 min saved

Internet Debunks Magnet Truck's Viability

A person invited the internet to give one good reason why a magnet truck wouldn't work, but the laws of physics provide several reasons. The magnet truck would violate fundamental laws such as Newton's First Law of Motion and Newton's Third Law of Motion. The magnet and the truck are part of the same system, canceling out any force and resulting in no propulsion. The idea of using a magnet to power a vehicle is not feasible and would create a perpetual motion machine, which is not possible according to the laws of physics.

via IFLScience|

#laws-of-physics #magnet-truck #newtons-laws

space-exploration2 years ago•8 min saved

"Revolutionary Magnetic Fusion Plasma Engines: Propelling Humanity to Interstellar Space"

A recent paper by Leiden Professor Florian Neukart proposes the use of a novel propulsion concept called the Magnetic Fusion Plasma Drive (MFPD) for future space missions. The MFPD combines aspects of fusion propulsion, ionic propulsion, and other concepts to offer high energy density and fuel efficiency greater than conventional methods. It utilizes controlled nuclear fusion reactions to generate thrust and potential electric power, providing high specific impulse, energy-dense fuel, and the ability to adjust thrust and specific impulse for different mission phases. The MFPD has the potential to revolutionize spacecraft design, reduce travel time to distant destinations, and mitigate risks associated with long-duration space missions. However, challenges remain in achieving and maintaining stable fusion reactions in space.

via Phys.org|

#future-technology #interstellar-travel #magnetic-fusion-plasma-drive