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There is currently a satellite in orbit, Barry-1, which has a purely electric thruster, it uses no propellant! They will be attempting to raise its orbit by 100
by mikewarot 3y ago
There is currently a satellite in orbit, Barry-1, which has a purely electric thruster, it uses no propellant! They will be attempting to raise its orbit by 100 Km starting in a month or two (after they get a baseline) using this new thruster.
The theory of physics behind it is called "Quantized Inertia", and I give this at least a 50/50 odds of working.
You can follow the orbital elements on this page, and see for yourself it it works or not:
https://db.satnogs.org/satellite/QDDY-8878-5291-1819-3935#data https://db.satnogs.org/satellite/QDDY-8878-5291-1819-3935#da...
- JPLeRouzic 3y agoThanks Mike, Yes, I am aware of this trial. The story of IVO’s owner, Richard Mansell is very inspiring. He is an engineer, not a scientist, he just wanted to do something with tools he knows. What is important is not that it might work or not, it is that these guys tried something in real life to clear the academic debate. Frankly, I find the people who designed this trial to be amazing.