Скачать или смотреть How to visit Mars with a tiny satellite, static electricity and ion thrusters

Cubesats, low-cost, bite-sized satellites inspired by the tubes used to hold Beanie Babies, were invented in 1999 as educational tools.

Now, aerospace suppliers and governments across the globe see the tools as the future of space commercialization and deep space exploration. Some say the tiny satellites could even fend off an asteroid attack.

But there’s still one big problem: CubeSats can’t move once they’re in space -- which limits their survival and makes them dangerous.

Paulo Lozano, director of the Space Propulsion Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is leading the way in the development of mini thrusters for CubeSats.

To understand how his invention works, you'll need a few drops of water and a fuzzy sweater.

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Creators:
Nsikan Akpan
Matt Ehrichs

Video Editor:
Matt Ehrichs

Producers:
Jenny Marder
Richard Coolidge
Patti Parson
Sara Just
Nick Massella

Graphics:
Adam Sarraf

Special Thanks:
Priscilla Shanks
Deep See Films LLC


Music (via Free Music Archive):


“Bell Club” by Podington Bear
“Tomie’s Bubbles” by Candlegravity
“Bounce” by Evan Schaeffer
“Lips” by Plurabelle
“Clockwork Outro” by Parvus Decree
“Closer to the Sun” by Rest You Sleeping Giant
“The Break” by Monplaisir