Hoverboard engineering in space may not sound very useful , but it may before long be leaving Earth . NASA andArx Paxhaveteamed upwith a couple of missions in mind : the control condition and manipulation of CubeSats , and small - soberness simulation on Earth .
CubeSatsare miniature satellites that can be launched with much larger satellites on already plan missions . Made of modest units measuring 10 centimeters ( 4 inches ) on a side , their low - cost make believe them useful as research ballistic capsule for everything from weather data point collection to equipment testing .
The goal is to use Arx Pax ’s Magnetic Field Architecture ( MFA ) and hover locomotive engine technology to make a “ magnetic leash ” to pull and control an object from a distance .
“ The twist will draw as well as repel satellites at the same time , meaning it will hold a satellite at a space and wo n’t allow it to move out or toward the capture gadget , ” Arx Pax explain in astatementon its website . “ This will start the capability to capture and possibly manipulate micro - artificial satellite or other physical object without making strong-arm link with them . ”
The charismatic field of study interact with a conductive surface – such as Al or bull . “ And conveniently,”saysGreg Henderson , Colorado - founder and CEO at Arx Pax , “ spaceships and satellites typically have aluminum cutis . ”
Arx Pax first floated into the public imagination with theHendo hoverboard – a crowdfunded project on Kickstarter that garnered more than $ 500,000 ( £ 330,000 ) . Pro - skater Tony Hawk then took it to newfangled heights byskatingwith the charismatic levitation technology .
But this earthbound playfulness was just the beginning : The magnetised orbit architecture could mayhap help the ever - threaten issue ofspace junk . While a variety of solution have been proposed – nets , lasers , garbage scows – a magnetised means may be a more manageable option .
Henderson says there is also the possibility of using the engineering for low - gravity simulation , “ where hover locomotive could replace comparatively faulting - illiberal gentle wind bearings , ” according toFortune .
A prototype of this CubeSat - moving equipment will in all likelihood take a couple of years . “ It ’s exciting to workplace hand - in - handwriting with NASA ’s brilliant squad of scientists and engineers , ” Hendersonadded . “ We ’re thrilled about the potential impact we can make together . ”
