walker 0 Posted November 1, 2011 Hi all NASA is to start testing Tractor Beam technology that uses laser beams with such things as altered coherance. Altered coherance involves moving the highest energy to the outside of a beam rather than the center as in a conventional laser. Other systems use helical beams and a system of receading peaks and troughs closer to the source. 1 November 2011 Last updated at 10:42 Nasa examines 'tractor beams' for sample gathering US space agency Nasa has funded a study of "tractor beams" to gather samples for analysis in future missions. The $100,000 (£63,000) award will be used to examine three laser-based approaches to do what has until now been the stuff of science fiction. Several tractor-beam ideas have been published in the scientific literature but none has yet been put to use. Nasa scientist Paul Stysley says the approach could "enhance science goals and reduce mission risk". "Though a mainstay in science fiction, and Star Trek in particular, laser-based trapping isn't fanciful or beyond current technological know-how," said Dr Stysley of Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center, whose group was awarded the research funding. High-beam profile The team has identified three possible options to capture and gather up sample material either in future orbiting spacecraft or on planetary rovers. The approach could be put to use in space and on planetary surfaces One is an adaptation of a well-known effect called "optical tweezers" in which objects can be trapped in the focus of one or two laser beams. However, this version of the approach would require an atmosphere in which to operate. The other two methods rely on specially shaped laser beams - instead of a beam whose intensity peaks at its centre and tails off gradually, the team is investigating two alternatives: solenoid beams and Bessel beams. The intensity peaks within a solenoid beam are found in a spiral around the line of the beam itself, while a Bessel beam's intensity rises and falls in peaks and troughs at higher distances from the beam's line... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15535115 As always follow the link to the original article in full. More here: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/early_stage_innovation/niac/stysley_laser_based_optical.html Kind Regards walker Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
docile 10 Posted November 3, 2011 Hi allNASA is to start testing Tractor Paint technology that uses laser beams with such things as altered coherance. Altered coherance involves moving the highest energy to the outside of a beam rather than the center as in a conventional laser. Other systems use helical beams and a system of receading peaks and troughs closer to the source. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15535115 As always follow the link to the original article in full. More here: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/early_stage_innovation/niac/stysley_laser_based_optical.html Kind Regards walker So this is what NASA has been up to since they stopped the shuttle program? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spec_ops_sniper 0 Posted November 4, 2011 LOL so we're gonna invent tractor beams before warp drive, great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PELHAM 10 Posted November 4, 2011 LOL so we're gonna invent tractor beams before warp drive, great. All NASA technology has produced great spin offs, teflon, velcro, micro electronics etc. - you never know this might produce a tool that is more efficient at picking noses than the average finger. :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nodunit 397 Posted November 4, 2011 And the best part is you won't cut yourself and bleed, then freak everyone out from it!..And nobody will give you funny looks with the blood on your palm and jeans... Seems to be a bit out of line in the evolution of things necessary for space though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beagle 684 Posted November 4, 2011 LOL so we're gonna invent tractor beams before warp drive, great.I guess they have this on the viewscreen already...;)Make it so! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PELHAM 10 Posted November 4, 2011 And the best part is you won't cut yourself and bleed, then freak everyone out from it!..And nobody will give you funny looks with the blood on your palm and jeans...Seems to be a bit out of line in the evolution of things necessary for space though. Nose picking is more important in space than on earth! It's the Zero-G, can you imagine what it's like to inhale something that someone else has picked and flicked? It floats around you see. If I ever get into orbit I will be sure to wear one of those surgical masks, especially when I sleep. RE the blood - you need to back off a little there! Anything deeper than the 1st knuckle is too far! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kavoven 4 Posted November 4, 2011 All NASA technology has produced great spin offs, teflon, velcro, micro electronics etc. - you never know this might produce a tool that is more efficient at picking noses than the average finger. :D Teflon is no NASA (or any others space agengy) invention :) Thats a myth But I agree with the rest - thats a field were science is really useful! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ProfTournesol 956 Posted November 4, 2011 Tractor beams ? Reminds me of a certain death star :don 14: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beagle 684 Posted November 4, 2011 Tractor beams ? Reminds me of a certain death star :don 14:Nonono, tractor beams were "invented" by Gene Roddenberry in the 60's not by George Lucas in the 70's. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ProfTournesol 956 Posted November 4, 2011 Nonono, tractor beams were "invented" by Gene Roddenberry in the 60's not by George Lucas in the 70's. Oh, but i wasn't born in the sixties, while i was 7 when Star Wars was released. That was a real shock for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beagle 684 Posted November 4, 2011 Well, never mind, theres is nothing in the galaxy that can't be fixed by a reverse tachyon beam Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakerod 254 Posted November 4, 2011 Assuming that this works the way I would expect it to could it theoretically be used as a means to put things into space or does it only work in space etc.? Like could we have a tractor beam station and pull ships from the surface up or would that not work? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jblackrupert 14 Posted November 5, 2011 (edited) So long as I can have a portable version that I can carrry into a bar we're all good. Viagra: Check Tractor beam: Check Lets paaaarrrtayyyy! Edited November 5, 2011 by jblackrupert Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rangerpl 13 Posted November 6, 2011 Assuming that this works the way I would expect it to could it theoretically be used as a means to put things into space or does it only work in space etc.? Like could we have a tractor beam station and pull ships from the surface up or would that not work?I don't think that would be possible, getting heavy things into orbit requires a ton of energy, not only to get it up to >100km altitude, but also to accelerate it to 28,000 km/h so that it stays up there.Based on the article, it seems that this is designed for small particles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
