"Revolutionary Sci-fi Tractor Beams Tackle Space Junk Crisis"
Scientists are developing a real-life tractor beam, called an electrostatic tractor, to tackle the growing problem of space junk. The electrostatic tractor would use electrostatic attraction to safely move dead satellites out of Earth's orbit, preventing collisions and reducing the risk of debris falling to Earth. While the concept has several advantages over other proposed space debris removal methods, such as harpoons and physical docking systems, the main challenge is securing funding for the project. If successful, the tractor beam could be operational within a decade and help alleviate the space junk problem.