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UmbralRaptor t1_j1nocc6 wrote

The kinds you're describing are short-range systems that need to push off of something. So one could plausibly imagine a maglev train on the Moon, but not for deep space propulsion.

Magnets are involved in some types of ion engines (eg: hall effect thrusters), though those move more in common with conventional rockets.

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doaardvarksswim t1_j1ovsey wrote

Super glad someone mentioned the Hall Effect. Wrapping your mind around what really happens is nuts.

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Pharisaeus t1_j1nrkp1 wrote

Effects you describe are not used for propulsion because they are short-range and you can't really for example push away from Earth using magnets. The only practical space-application are https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetorquer - electromagnets which can be used to stabilize the spacecraft along magnetic lines.

You can use magnetic forces for some plasma propulsion engines like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetoplasmadynamic_thruster

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