A beam refers to a stream of particles or photons moving from a source to a target, exerting pushing force rather than pulling force on the target.
On Earth, we can use a vacuum cleaner to pull objects towards us by creating a pressure difference. However, this method wouldn’t work in space due to the lack of air molecules in a vacuum.
One alternative to using beams in space is the concept of a “gravity tractor,” where a spacecraft hovers near an asteroid and uses mutual gravity to divert the asteroid off its course. The spacecraft utilizes ion thrusters to gently move forward and stay ahead of the asteroid.
Gravity is a weak force that exists between all objects with mass, making it useful for the gravity tractor concept. The European Space Agency has explored the feasibility of using electrostatic attraction as a stronger force to deflect asteroids.
This article addresses the question of how close we are to developing a Star Trek-style tractor beam and invites further inquiries and discussions via email or social media. For more science content, visit our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
