2007-04-23 11:30:20 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Only earth has a significant magnetic field of the inner planets and it is not powerful enough to get into orbit. Off world, however, a vehicle using a magnetic bubble would experience thrust as it is hit by the solarwind. It would work on the same principle as the solarsail but with one important difference: the magnetic bubble can very easily be expanded to achieve more thrust when it is really far from the sun. You just turn up the power. This way a magnetic bubble can reach great velocities because in space you need very little force to get acceleration. The force just needs to be constant over very long periods of time.
2007-04-23 12:13:27 · answer #1 · answered by DrAnders_pHd 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The gas giants all have magnetic fields, much stronger than the earth's.
Mars does not (its the molten interior of a planet whirling around as a dynamo that creates the magnetic field, and Mars' interior has cooled so that the interior core no longer moves enough to generate a magnetic field).
2007-04-23 20:45:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems that most planets would have a magnetic field. Because they all want one. I would probably not bounce off of a magnetic field.!
2007-04-23 18:33:48 · answer #3 · answered by Seerx3000 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Mars has none and I believe mercury follows suit. If you're thinking about a propulsion system, they are too weak.
2007-04-23 18:33:53 · answer #4 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋