this is for applying torque to the spacecraft, not generating thrust. these are just magnetorquers, which have been a thing for a while. the only thing new here is that they use superconducting magnets, which i assume just means they can more efficiently create magnetic fields. its cool but its not really a game changing development, more a refinement on an existing technology. science journalism has to make everything sexy for clicks though...
this post was submitted on 06 Jul 2026
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Are we finally going to get flying cars and hover boards?
Making a superconductor is easy. Keeping a superconductor is hard.
Much like my erection.
"""easy"""
This does not move anything in orbit at all, it's only for turning. It's better than using cold gas thrusters for turning, but this will not move you to a different point at all.
Except right now, superconductors only work at very low temperatures, and keeping things at low temps in space requires energy.
Energy is easy enough to get in space with some solar panels and a battery, while fuel has to be sent with the payload. Even if it's not good enough for constant function, being able to spin them up long enough for a course correction is a pretty big deal.
Technically, it needs insulation and a way to radiate heat. I read a while back that the superconductors used in space are often wrapped in several concentric shells to avoid being exposed directly to the sun and other onboard heat sources.
Is there a limit to the amount of thrust that these superconducting magnets could generate in Earth's magnetic field? I read a hypothesis that the UAPs that have been observed to accelerate without any propellent are using superconductors in this way.
A magnet that strong would be easily detected by human technology
Don't UFOs often come with a "my stuff started going haywire" type of thing? Are we monitoring the atmosphere for transient localized magnetic anomalies?
it makes the most sense, right?