Talk:Space Transport and Engineering Methods/External Interaction Methods

Item to add for Magnetic Interactions section
August, 2013 Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS test a new propulsion system developed in the University of Maryland's Space Power and Propulsion Laboratory. An electromagnetic propulsion technology called the Resonant Inductive Near-field Generation System (RINGS) that uses a combination of electromagnets (magnetic fields and reaction wheels) in spacecraft in formation that can move and change their attitude and even spin increase their service life by reducing the need for a propellant.

The term propulsion system may be an imprecise definition since the concept it is more focused in changing the relative position/attitude of components in a group of spacecraft flaying in group, Electron Magnetic Formation Flaying (EMFF), without changing the center of mass of the group than imparting continual propulsion.

According to an MIT study when EMFF is perfected, it will have a wide number of applications including interferometers, space telescopes where each satellite carries a section of mirror, generating artificial gravity, creating a magnet shield against solar radiation storms, and clearing space debris by using their spin to toss the debris into a safer trajectory.

Original article RINGS propels satellites without propellants

There seems also to be missing a reference in that section to Magnetic sails and the purported Chinese EmDrive (Chinese Say They’re Building ‘Impossible’ Space Drive) --Panic (discuss • contribs) 22:13, 4 September 2013 (UTC)


 * Magsail is at since it operates by deflecting solar wind particles