SMRTR Science & EngineeringAug 19, 2026Interesting Engineering

World’s most powerful superconducting magnetic actuator is space flight ready

SMRTR summary

Zenno Astronautics' Supertorquer, the world's most powerful superconducting magnetic actuator, is now integrated aboard Portal Space Systems' Starburst-1 spacecraft and ready for flight. It controls a spacecraft's orientation using Earth's magnetic field instead of chemical propellant, freeing up fuel for maneuvering, and may even provide radiation shielding for onboard systems.

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