Nasa has funded a study of "tractor beams", three laser-based approaches to do what has until now been the stuff of science fiction.

From:
BBC

The "tractor beam" approaches depend on precise shaping of the intensities of laser beams

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.

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.

Solenoid beams have already proven their "tractor beam" abilities in laboratory tests published in the journal Optics Express, but the pulling power of Bessel beams, presented on the preprint server Arxiv in February, remains to be proved experimentally.

In all three cases, explained Dr Stysley, the effect is a small one - but it could in some instances outperform existing methods of sample gathering.

"[Current] techniques have proven to be largely successful, but they are limited by high costs and limited range and sample rate," he said.

"An optical-trapping system, on the other hand, could grab desired molecules from the upper atmosphere on an orbiting spacecraft or trap them from the ground or lower atmosphere from a lander.

"In other words, they could continuously and remotely capture particles over a longer period of time, which would enhance science goals and reduce mission risk."

Science & Technology :: 557 Views

NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP

Our newsletter is released only to notify you about the exclusive stories on the site, exclusive leads on investigations and alerts on projects like video documentaries released by New World Order Report

Email Address:

RADIO ARCHIVE

Click here to read Jonathan Elinoff's bio

Latest radio interviews:

4/29/2012 11AM - Jonathan Elinoff joins Craig Silvermann on the Ross Kaminsky Show on Denver's 850KOA to discuss the Pat Sullivan story, confession and newly released information

4/27/2012 6AM - Jonathan Elinoff a freelance videographer and investigator who broke the Pat Sullivan meth for sex story is in studio with Peter and Julie Hayden investigative journalist for Fox 31 joins Peter and Jonathan to discuss the ugly Pat Sullivan story. Is Pat Sullivan a smaller piece in a larger puzzle of deviant sexual corruption?

4/27/2012 7AM - The show continues to heat up this hour; Bryan Maass of CBS 4 News joins the show to provide his take on the Pat Sullivan interrogation tape. What did Pat Sullivan admit to and what accusations could be corroborated. Why did the District Attorneys decide to proceed with a plea deal instead of a trial? Julie Hayden, Jonathan Elinoff, Bryan Maass and Peter Boyles discuss what is true, what is just and did Pat receive a sweetheart deal, there is contention and disagreement about the Sullivan interrogation tape and the four engage in great discourse and discussion.

4/27/2012 8AM - Peter opens up the show to calls this hour and the lines light up with many listeners weighing in on the Pat Sullivan story. This hour has many voices, views and opinions and discussion between Peter, Jonathan and callers. What do you think about the sentencing that former Arapahoe County Sherriff Pat Sullivan received for his sex for meth scandal?

4/6/2012 6AM - Peter Boyles Show - Jonathan Elinoff the investigative reporter who was instrumental in breaking the Pat Sullivan meth for sex scandal joins Peter for the full hour to discuss his investigation into the dark world of drugs and male prostitution. Jonathan and Peter delve into the egregious story of sex, drugs, coercion, abuse of power and possible murder.

4/6/2012 8AM - Investigative reporter for Fox 31 Julie Hayden joins the show and John Elinoff returns to discuss the Pat Sullivan story and the possibility of a connection between Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold of the Columbine massacre. The Sullivan Story is sure to continue and seems to get stranger and more deviant.

4/6/2012 9AM - Tom Martino addresses a caller about the alleged sex trafficking that was observed in the Sullivan investigation at the start of the show...

4/4/2012 8AM - Peter Boyles Radio Show Interviews Jonathan Elinoff and Tom Martino about Pat Sullivan Meth for Sex Scandal

4/4/2012 9AM - Tom Martino continues the Peter Boyles Interview with Jonathan Elinoff and Tom Martino about Pat Sullivan Meth for Sex Scandal

4/4/2012 3PM - Caplis and Silverman Radio Show Interviews Jonathan Elinoff about the Pat Sullivan Meth for Sex Scandal

2/2/2012 3PM - Jonathan Elinoff interviewed on KGNU in Boulder and Denver Colorado about his investigation into former Sheriff Pat Sullivan in the "Meth for Sex" scandal, with host Shareef Aleem

12/16/2011 8AM - Peter Boyles Radio Show Interviews Jonathan Elinoff and Tom Martino with release of info

12/16/2011 7AM - Peter Boyles Radio Show Interviews Jonathan Elinoff and Tom Martino with release of info

12/2/2011 9AM - Tom Martino & The Troubleshooter Network Radio Show Interviews Jonathan Elinoff with release of info

12/1/2011 3PM - Caplis and Silverman Radio Show Interviews with release of info

12/1/2011 10AM - Tom Martino & The Troubleshooter Network Radio Show Interviews Jonathan Elinoff with release of info

12/1/2011 9AM - Tom Martino & The Troubleshooter Network Radio Show Interviews Jonathan Elinoff with release of info

12/1/2011 - 8AM - Peter Boyles Radio Show Interviews Jonathan Elinoff with release of info

11/30/2011 5PM - Caplis and Silverman Radio Show Interviews with release of info

11/30/2011 4PM - Caplis and Silverman Radio Show Interviews with release of info

11/30/2011 11AM - Tom Martino & The Troubleshooter Network Radio Show Interviews Jonathan Elinoff with release of info

11/30/2011 10AM - Tom Martino & The Troubleshooter Network Radio Show Interviews Jonathan Elinoff with release of info

11/30/2011 9AM - Tom Martino & The Troubleshooter Network Radio Show Interviews Jonathan Elinoff with release of info

11/30/2011 8AM - Peter Boyles Radio Show Interviews Jonathan Elinoff with release of info

11/30/2011 - Truth Jihad Radio with Kevin Barrett interviews Jonathan Elinoff on the following up with the now breaking story of Pat Sullivan and the scandal related to it

11/16/2011 - Truth Jihad Radio with Kevin Barrett interviews Jonathan Elinoff on the first breaking story of Pat Sullivan and the scandal related to it

9/22/2011 - Tom Martino Show with Special Guest Jonathan Elinoff: Discussion about underground facility at D.I.A.

9/8/2011 - Tom Martino Show with Special Guest Jonathan Elinoff: Tom Martino wakes up to 9/11

9/8/2011 - Peter Boyles Show with Special Guest Jonathan Elinoff: Discussion about the Core of Corruption sequels as well as 9/11 in general and Elinoff's research on it

1/27/2011 - WKRP with Host Rob McNealy with Guest Jonathan Elinoff, Editor of New World Order Report. Click here for the show information and bio Click here for the 1/27/2011 Show

To listen to any other radio interviews or archived radio shows, check our Archives section or click here.

SUPPORT US

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

New World Order Report is proud to offer our award winning documentary, Core of Corruption: In the Shadows. Click the ad below to order the DVD

Watch Core Of Corruption: In the Shadows for FREE Below:

Nasa has funded a study of "tractor beams", three laser-based approaches to do what has until now been the stuff of science fiction.

More on This Story

Related Stories