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Space-Surfing Ribbons
Japan Sends a Strip of Metal into Space to Ride Magnetic Fields

By: Josh Milenthal (Talented) Sep 7, 10

Japan has recently launched a program into space to test tether propulsion. In other (more awesome) words, Japan has recently launched a 300 meter-long, space-surfing metal ribbon to ride Earth’s Magnetic fields. The idea is that no fuel of any kind is needed to propel the ribbon around space, all done by sucking up electrons at one end and spitting them out the other.

The current moving through the ribbon end to end is the only means of energy needed to move around in space. Now, I don’t know about you but I think the idea of a space-surfing metal ribbon is so cool. They need to make a space surfboard for astronauts next.

Source: engadget
Readmore: jaxa.jp