Magnetic tug nears derelict satellite

Derelict satellites could in future be grappled and removed from key orbits around Earth with a space tug using magnetic forces. Researcher Emilien Fabacher of the Institut Supérieur de l'Aéronautique et de l’Espace, part of the University of Toulouse in France, is studying magnetic grappling as a method of space debris removal, as well as examining the technique’s potential for satellite formation flying.