Chinese scientists have created a device for contactless movement of objects in space
Scientists from China have developed a prototype device that can deflect or move space debris, as well as attract spacecraft at a distance of up to 1 km. The device operates on the basis of a magnetized coaxial cannon that fires high-speed plasma rings. The study was published in the journal Systems Engineering and Electronics, according to the South China Morning Post.
Scientists were inspired by a series of "Star Wars" films, where the characters have the ability to move various objects without contact using the "Jedi force". They wanted to create a device that could be used to protect and maintain spacecraft, satellites and space stations.
The cannon, which is the basis of the device, generates plasma rings at a speed of 10 thousand m/s. She can shoot eight rings of plasma at a target every second. Plasma rings can affect objects that have a metallic surface or contain metals in their composition. The device can change the trajectory of objects by pushing them away or attracting them to itself.
The device was tested in the laboratory on models of space debris and satellites. Scientists plan to conduct further tests and improve their invention.
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