First Exotic Space Thruster Test Ends in Explosion

KentuckyFC writes "A NASA-funded test of an entirely new way to control orbiting satellites has ended with the prototype arcing dangerously and parts of the machine exploding. The new propulsion system is based on the Lorentz force: that a charged particle moving through a magnetic field experiences a force perpendicular to both its velocity and the field. So the plan is to ensure that a satellite passing though the Earth's magnetic field is electrically charged so as to generate a force that can be used to steer the spacecraft. The advantage of the idea is that it requires no propellant, which is a big deal since most satellites' lifespans are limited by the amount of fuel they can carry. But the first ground-based tests haven't gone entirely to plan."

I hope

[VeNoM0619]

parts of the machine exploding.

But the first ground-based tests haven't gone entirely to plan."

Good thing they told us that... I was beginning to lose faith in their work.

Heh

[Paranatural]

From TFA: And as long as nobody gets hurt, a decent explosion livens up any experiment.

I'm pretty certain this is how Mythbusters got started.

Also from TFA: Obviously, a proplusion system that explodes while it is in operation needs some more work.

I dunno, kinda sounds like how rockets work.

Dirty

[Hatta]

I'd be concerned if I tested my exotic thruster and it didn't end in an explosion.

Need more coffee

[truthsearch]

My brain initially processed the title as, "First Erotic Space Thruster Test Ends in Explosion". Needless to say I was very disappointed when I read the summary.

Re:Dirty

[Kryptonian Jor-El]

That's what she said

Redefining your way to success!

[Chris Burke]

A NASA-funded test of an entirely new way to explode orbiting satellites has ended with promising success!

Re:Jazzing up the story a bit

[eln]

Oh sure, it doesn't sound that impressive until you realize the entire craft was covered in a 2-foot layer of solder.

Re:Heh

[Arimus]

And not to mention the ill fated plan to detonate nuclear bombs behind a space craft as a method of propulsion...

(Orion programme if my memory isn't failing)

(On that point when will which ever god or other deity is responsible for our design fix the bloody faulty memory unit and start using error correcting cells?)

Re:Dirty

[p0tat03]

"She" has an exotic thruster? o_O

It's Rocket Science

[mangu]

Also from TFA: Obviously, a proplusion system that explodes while it is in operation needs some more work.

I dunno, kinda sounds like how rockets work.

Sure, you got the basic points all right. Now, let's see some advanced stuff:

It should go like this [youtube.com]

NOT like this [youtube.com].

Re:Good for them

[Applekid]

As long as we're using it on unmanned craft (or on the bench), a decent rate of failures is alright by me if they're learning something from them.

I'd have to say that mindset is the #1 reason why I like science so much. Even in failure there's so much to learn from it.

So I'm glad I got burned think of all the things we learned
For the people who are still alive

Re:Jazzing up the story a bit

[Slashdot Suxxors]

You must be new here.

Protection

[DeadDecoy]

Ya, but you might want to use protection or you'll get burned.

Re:It's Rocket Science

[TheRaven64]

You certainly get bonus points for irony using an Ariane 5 as an example of a rocket not blowing up...

Re:Well I certainly wouldn't

[EricTheGreen]

From old age or the beer?

Re:Jazzing up the story a bit

[TheRaven64]

Hell, it's not even safe to treat the individual editors as coherent...

Re:Dirty

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, that's why she's so exotic.

Re:Well I certainly wouldn't

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe they meant from the delivery process. "Breaker, breaker, where are you Bandit? I got a smokey on my tail." Not being "legal" in many states added to its "exotic" flavor causing some excitement regarding the "Colorado Coolaid". Han and Luke, Bandit and Snowman, it can be good having a smugler covering your backside, but if you were either you were in danger. Of course if all you did was help drink it at the frat party or at the drivein, the danger lessens.

Warp Core Breach

[CodeBuster]

One would think that NASA engineers had watched enough Star Trek to realize that if one does not reverse the polarity of the intermix injectors into the flow matrix before the plasma coolant leaks after a power surge then the warp core will breach...amateurs.

Re:Explosions are an indicator of work

[jberryman]

Maybe "someone" (*COUGHyou) shouldn't be drying their special 'shrooms at work, eh?

Re:Funny?

[iamlucky13]

Point taken and considered while I was typing it, but just between you and me, I was going for entertainment value.

Re:Explosions are an indicator of work

[radu5er]

Ah yes. These comments conjure up fond memories of when, as a curious child I began mixing various chemicals from my chemistry set...along with some additional ingredients from under the kitchen sink in a tightly sealed container. When the container began to bulge and heat up it was at this precise moment I suddenly realised the inherent danger of uncontrolled chemical experimentation. My Mother still recalls my excitement as I ran up the stairs shouting, "It's gonna blow!"

Re:Good for them

[SlowMovingTarget]

Apparently, you've tried hard enough to find it.