A beam is a stream of particles moving from a source to a target, exerting a pushing force rather than a pulling force on the target.
On Earth, we can use a vacuum cleaner to pull something towards us, but in reality, we are creating a pressure difference that causes the remaining air molecules to push the object.
This method is not considered a beam and would not work in space where there are no molecules in a vacuum.
However, in space, objects can be moved without using beams. The “gravity tractor” is a concept for a spacecraft that would maneuver near an asteroid and utilize mutual gravity to alter its trajectory.
The spacecraft uses ion thrusters to counteract the gravitational pull of the asteroid, effectively pulling it forward at a controlled pace.
Although gravity is a universal force present between all objects with mass, it is relatively weak.
As an alternative, the European Space Agency (ESA) has explored the possibility of utilizing electrostatic attraction as a stronger force. However, this force can be neutralized due to the canceling of positive and negative charges on objects.
The ESA study discussed methods to charge an asteroid, such as bombarding it with electrons to create a charged object that can be influenced by the spacecraft charged to around 20,000 volts, acting as a type of tractor beam.
While this method is slower than a science fiction tractor beam, it demonstrates a potential approach to manipulating objects in space.
This article was written in response to a question from Alexandra Rowland about the feasibility of a Star Trek-style tractor beam.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
