Metal wires could cut the operating costs of the International Space Station
by hundreds of millions of dollars. In 1995 and 1996, space shuttle crews
experimented with satellites tethered to the craft by 20-kilometre cords.
Neither experiment was a complete success, but the data they gathered convinced
NASA that bare-wire tethers could generate power for the station as they cut
through the Earth’s magnetosphere. The tethers could replace up to 4 tonnes of
solid fuel.
More from 91av
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending 91av articles
1
Table tennis-playing robot on track to becoming world champion
2
QBox theory may offer glimpse of reality deeper than quantum realm
3
Largest-ever octopus was great white shark of invertebrate predators
4
Symptoms of early dementia reversed by bespoke treatment plans
5
Why the right kind of stress is crucial for your health and happiness
6
Why your opinion of used electric vehicles is probably wrong
7
Surprising male G-spot found in most detailed study of the penis yet
8
The monstrous number sequences that break the rules of mathematics
9
Game theory explains why the US's goals in Iran keep changing
10
The exercises you need to do to reach 100 in great shape
