'Acceleration without fuel:' Revolutionary superconducting thruster harnesses Earth's magnetic field in 1st orbital test

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'Acceleration without fuel:' Revolutionary superconducting thruster harnesses Earth's magnetic field in 1st orbital test 06.07.2026

Space.com

Zenno Astronautics, a New Zealand company and University of Auckland spin-off, has successfully tested its revolutionary "Supertorquer" attitude control system in orbit. Flown on the Mira satellite via a SpaceX Transporter 12 mission, this shoebox-sized device utilizes superconducting magnets to generate thrust by interacting with Earth's magnetic field. By converting solar energy directly into momentum, the system provides acceleration without the need for traditional fuel, addressing sustainability in space industries. To maintain the required temperature of minus 200 degrees Celsius, the unit employs specialized insulation and a heat pump to expel excess heat into space. CEO Max Arshavsky envisions future applications for this technology, including spacecraft docking, trajectory changes, and creating magnetic shields to protect astronauts from harmful cosmic radiation during deep-space missions to the Moon and Mars.

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