BEIJING, Sep 5 Chinese scientists have developed a prototype device that can manipulate distant objects in space using plasma rings, the South China Morning Post writes on Wednesday.
The prototype is based on a magnetized coaxial gun that generates high-speed plasma rings. Plasma rings contain ions and electrons that can move freely under the influence of electric and magnetic fields.
According to researchers at the People's Liberation Army's Defense Science and Technology University in Changsha, who are developing the prototype, the cannon is capable of firing eight rings of plasma at a target every second, at a speed of 10,000 meters per second. The effective range of the prototype is one kilometer.
The publication notes that the device will be able to stop or deflect a large piece of space debris from rotating towards the spacecraft or satellite for several minutes, or «pull» a small satellite to the spacecraft for inspection and maintenance. Since interaction with the object does not require physical contact, this will reduce the risk of collisions and other accidents in space.
According to the publication, the design and experimental verification of the prototype is already underway.