Entertainment
One Of Sci-Fi's Coolest Pieces Of Technology Is Becoming A Reality
Researchers have found a way to build a system for real-life tractor beams to haul objects in space.
By Douglas Helm
| Published
Rebel ships better watch out because, apparently, we’re closer to making tractor beams a reality than ever. Once confined to science fiction, tractor beams are edging closer to reality, though not in the way most people imagine from Star Wars or Star Trek.
A team led by University of Colorado Boulder aerospace engineer Hanspeter Schaub has spent years developing what’s known as an electrostatic tractor beam, a system designed to move space debris without physically touching it. Recent testing and modeling suggest the concept has advanced far enough that researchers now see it as a serious candidate for future orbital cleanup missions.
Earth Orbit Needs A Cleanup Team
The technology is aimed at solving a growing problem in low Earth orbit. Thousands of dead satellites, spent rocket stages, and shattered fragments already circle the planet at speeds exceeding 17,000 miles per hour. Every collision creates even more debris, increasing the risk of a runaway chain reaction known as Kessler Syndrome. First proposed by NASA scientist Donald Kessler in 1978, the theory predicts that Earth’s orbit could eventually become so crowded with high-speed junk that launching new satellites or crewed spacecraft would become dangerously difficult.
Unlike science fiction tractor beams that instantly yank ships through space, Schaub’s concept relies on electrostatic attraction. A servicing spacecraft approaches a derelict satellite or chunk of debris and fires a beam of electrons at it, giving the target a negative electrical charge. The servicing craft maintains a positive charge, creating an attractive force between the two objects. The result is a slow but continuous pull that can nudge debris into a safer orbit or guide it toward atmospheric reentry.
One of the biggest advantages of the system is that it never needs to physically dock with unstable debris. Traditional capture methods using robotic arms, nets, or harpoons become extremely risky when dealing with objects tumbling uncontrollably through space. Electrostatic tractor beams could potentially maneuver those objects from a distance, reducing the chance of catastrophic collisions during cleanup operations.
Refining The Tractor Tech
Schaub’s team has continued refining the technology inside the Electrostatic Charging Laboratory for Interactions between Plasma and Spacecraft, a specialized vacuum chamber that simulates the plasma conditions of orbit. Researchers use metal targets to imitate dead satellites and debris while studying how charged particles interact in microgravity-like conditions.
One major breakthrough involved controlling rotation. Space debris often spins chaotically, making it difficult to stabilize. The team discovered that pulsing electron beams rhythmically can gradually slow that motion, effectively acting like an invisible braking system before towing begins. That capability could prove just as important as the tractor beam itself.
The project still faces major engineering hurdles. Earth’s upper atmosphere contains constantly shifting plasma environments that can interfere with electrostatic forces. Ion wakes trailing behind spacecraft may also distort the beam’s effectiveness depending on altitude and solar activity. Power generation is another issue, since maintaining large electrical charges in orbit requires substantial onboard energy.
These Tractor Beams Are Not Just A Theory
Even so, the idea has moved well beyond theory. Schaub’s more recent estimates suggest that a full-scale electrostatic debris-removal mission could move multi-ton objects over hundreds of miles over the course of several months. The technology is also attracting renewed interest because the orbital debris crisis has worsened dramatically in recent years, driven by megaconstellations like SpaceX’s Starlink network and repeated anti-satellite weapon tests conducted by governments worldwide.
Several other companies and agencies are pursuing competing debris-removal systems, including magnetic docking craft, drag sails, robotic grapplers, and laser-based nudging systems. But electrostatic tractor beams remain one of the few concepts capable of moving non-cooperative debris without direct contact.
If funding and testing continue at the current pace, Schaub believes the first operational electrostatic tractor spacecraft could launch sometime in the 2030s. That still sounds like science fiction. But so did reusable rockets twenty years ago.
Entertainment
Im watching the Canadian GP for free this weekend — how to live stream F1 for free
TL;DR: Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels to watch select F1 races for free. Watch the Canadian GP for free with the Prime Video app.
Watch the Japanese GP for free with a 7-day trial
I don’t care what anyone says — I’ve really enjoyed this season of F1. I know the new F1 regulations are not for everyone, not least the drivers. But I like the unpredictability of this season and I’m keen for more after a break post Miami.
Kimi Antonelli continues to lead the standings coming into the Canadian GP, but there’s a feeling that McLaren are closing the gap to the Mercedes drivers. Could the tide finally turn this weekend and we get our first winner from another team? It’s a Sprint weekend, so it always feels like there’s a greater chance of upsetting the odds.
If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we’ve got all the information you need.
When is the Canadian GP?
The Canadian GP is the fifth race of the 2026 F1 season. Here’s the full schedule from the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve:
-
Practice 1 — 12:30-1:30 p.m. ET on May 22
-
Sprint Qualifying — 4:30-5:14 p.m. ET on May 22
-
Sprint — 12-1 p.m. ET on May 23
-
Qualifying — 4-5 p.m. ET on May 23
-
Race — 4 p.m. ET on May 24
Fans can follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.
How to watch the Canadian GP for free
I subscribe to Amazon Prime. I very happily pay for the fast shipping, exclusive Prime Day deals, and access to Prime Video. The access to Prime Video is actually not all that important to me. I occasionally watch the Champions League and NBA, but that’s about it. That was until this season of F1 came to Apple TV.
It is now possible to sign up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels. F1 is exclusive to Apple TV in the U.S., so by accessing this free trial, you can watch select races for free this season. The subscription costs £9.99 per month after the trial ends, but you can cancel this automatic renewal at any time.
By cancelling ahead of the renewal, you can watch the Canadian GP this weekend without spending anything.
I already pay for Amazon Prime, so you could argue that this isn’t really free. I get that, but Amazon Prime does offer a 30-day free trial period if you’re new to the service. By signing up for this free trial and then gaining access to Apple TV through Prime Video Channels, you can truly watch select races for free this season.
Mashable Deals
Already used this hack to watch a race this season? It’s not your only option.
I suggest you go direct to Apple TV. This popular steaming service comes with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. Alternatively, Apple One bundles Apple TV with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness Plus, Apple News Plus, and 50GB of iCloud Storage for $19.95 per month after a one-month free trial.
The best Apple TV free-trial offer comes with purchases of new Apple devices. New subscribers can get three months of Apple TV for free after purchasing any eligible Apple product. If you’re planning on upgrading to something from the Apple lineup in Memorial Day sales, you could gain access to Apple TV for a pretty large chunk of this season. You will obviously need to buy something, but if you were already in the market for an upgrade, this method makes a lot of sense.
How to live stream 2026 F1 for free in 2026
Best Apple TV Deal
Apple TV
7-day free trial
Best Apple One Deal
Apple One
30-day free trial
Entertainment
The best Memorial Day tech deals you can shop this weekend — save on headphones, laptops, and more
Table of Contents
Replacing a busted laptop or losing your favorite earbuds is painful enough without having to pay full retail price to replace them. Memorial Day is historically a great weekend to score discounts on big-ticket electronics (and mattresses!), but finding a real deal among all the manufactured holiday markdowns can be confusing, and a little insulting. (Looking at you, inflated list prices!)
To help you find the biggest discounts, I sifted through the sales to round up the best tech deals happening this weekend. I prioritized Mashable’s favorite tech — so you get genuinely good, vetted gear, not just whatever inventory retailers are trying to clear out of their warehouses.
Best Memorial Day headphone deal
$169
at Amazon
$199
Save $30
Why we like it
Read our full review of the Nothing Headphone (a).
Mashable’s Lead Shopping Reporter is fresh off reviewing Nothing’s new mid-range headphones, which she rated a 4.3/5. She thinks they’re better than the flagship Nothing Headphone (1) because they offer the same app experience, comparable noise cancellation, and a comfier fit at a lower price. Moreover, they last for up to 135 hours on a single charge (!) without ANC, and their retro design is fun. Amazon has them on sale for a record-low price ahead of Memorial Day, saving you 15%.
More Memorial Day headphone deals
Earbud deals
Best Memorial Day speaker deal
$43
at Amazon
$64.99
Save $21.99
Why we like it
Read our full guide to the best Bluetooth speakers.
If you’re looking for a portable speaker that you can just grab and throw in your bag, I couldn’t recommend the Sony SRS-XB100 enough. I’ve had this exact one for years and it goes everywhere with me — I take it to the beach, hang it in the outside shower at my parents’ OBX house, and set it up when I’m hanging with friends on the balcony. It has serious sound for how small it is, and right now you can get it for $43 (down from $64.99). That’s a total steal for a speaker this good.
Want to pay even less? You can get a “renewed” Sony SRS-XB100 for $39.99.
More Memorial Day speaker deals
Best Memorial Day laptop deal
$899.99
at Amazon
$1,099
Save $199.01
Why we like it
Read our full review of the M5 Apple MacBook Air.
The MacBook Neo is only $10 off on Amazon right now, but the brand-new 13-inch MacBook Air is $100 off there — you can get the base model for just $949. This is the lowest price we’ve seen it go for since April 6. In our review, Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Werth said the new MacBook Air “takes everything good about the MacBook Air and adds the faster M5 chip.”
More Memorial Day laptop deals
-
Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,149
$1,299(save $150) -
Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,499
$1,699(save $200) -
Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,749
$1,899(save $150) -
Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Pro with 15-core CPU/16-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $2,399.99
$2,599(save $199.01)
Best Memorial Day TV deal
$309.99
at Amazon
$399.99
Save $90
Why we like it
Right now, you can get last year’s Amazon Ember 50-inch 4-Series with Fire TV for $309.99. (If you’re a new Xbox GamePass customer, you’ll also get a month of the subscription service for free.) That’s a 23% discount and not too shabby of a deal for a 2025 TV.
Mashable Deals
More Memorial Day TV deals
Best Memorial Day smartwatch deal
$69
at Amazon
$99
Save $30
Why we like it
Read our full review of the CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro.
The Mashable Choice Award-winning CMF Watch 3 Pro features great health, fitness, and sleep tracking tools, and it lasts forever — it’s rated at up to 13 days per charge with average use. It’s not as sleek as other wearables, but it’s an impeccable value at its $99 MSRP: “Please, no one tell Nothing they should be charging a lot more for this watch,” writes Mashable Contributor and reviewer Lauren Allain. Right now, it’s yours for 30% off.
More Memorial Day smartwatch deals
Best Memorial Day smart home deal
$14.99
at Amazon
$39.99
Save $25
Enter code SELCT4K at checkout.
Why we like it
Amazon’s budget 4K streaming stick has been going on sale regularly since its launch last fall, but it’s never been this cheap before. (Be sure to enter the coupon code SELECT4K at checkout.) At 63% off, it’s very difficult to see it getting any cheaper come Prime Day.
More Memorial Day streaming stick deals
Home security deals
Entertainment
Finally start learning Spanish, Italian, and French with this exclusive Babbel deal
TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Babbel through this exclusive StackSocial offer for $159 with promo code LEARN before the deal ends June 2.
$159
$646.20
Save $487.20
Maybe it’s for travel, maybe it’s for work, or maybe you’re just tired of staring blankly at subtitles — whatever the motivation, this Babbel deal makes it easier to finally commit to learning a new language. StackSocial is currently offering lifetime access to every Babbel language course for a one-time payment of $159 (reg. $299) with code LEARN, giving you permanent access without monthly subscription fees hanging over your head.
Unlike no-name apps that promise fluency without substance, Babbel takes a human approach and was developed by over 100 expert linguists and backed by researchers from Yale University. It’s designed to help you actually speak a new language with confidence — whether you’re prepping for a trip abroad, connecting with family, or hoping to boost your career.
Mashable Deals
You’ll get access to 14 languages and 10,000+ hours of high-quality content. Lessons are short and made to fit into even packed schedules — just 10 to 15 minutes — and available on desktop or mobile, with progress synced across devices. You can even download lessons to practice offline, whether that’s on a flight or in a Wi-Fi dead zone on the subway.
Mashable Trend Report
How Babbel can help you become fluent:
-
Real conversations: Lessons focus on practical topics like dining, shopping, transportation, and more.
-
Speech recognition: Built-in tools help you perfect pronunciation and avoid awkward slip-ups.
-
Personalized learning: Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, you’ll find lessons that match your level.
-
Expert design: A proven method that emphasizes conversational skills over rote memorization.
And with lifetime access, you’re free to hone in on one language or explore all 14 — on your schedule, forever.
Pick up a lifetime Babbel Language Learning access for $159 (reg. $299) with this limited-time exclusive offer from StackSocial using code LEARN for a limited time.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Ross Chastain wins rain-shortened O’Reilly Series race at Charlotte
Mike Trout homers, Angels get rare back-to-back wins
