Is it possible to create a tractor beam using gravity

[shadow735]

So yeah I was thinking as I watched Star Wars , if we knew how to manipulate gravity is it theoretically possible to create a tractor beam using gravity?<br /><br />Is there technology around that could create a gravitational field artificially or is this even possible.<br />Is this something that is being developed or thought about currently? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[Swampcat]

Before you can theorize about creating a tractor beam or manipulating gravity in any way you first have to figure out exactly how gravity is generated.<br /><br />The practical engineering of an artificial gravity field (other than that simulated by acceleration) is simply not possible...at this time <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="3" color="#ff9900"><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>------------------------------------------------------------------- </em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."</em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong></font></p></font> </div>

 

[bearack]

Wouldn't be more practical to find a viable solution for artificial gravity, first? Then I think we could determine other attributes of a diffinitive machanism. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><br /><img id="06322a8d-f18d-4ab1-8ea7-150275a4cb53" src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/14/06322a8d-f18d-4ab1-8ea7-150275a4cb53.Large.jpg" alt="blog post photo" /></p> </div>

 

[bdewoody]

I think artificial gravity, anti gravity and tractor beams are all part of the same package and hope there is a way to manipulate gravity. Right now most experts don't think any of these are possible. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em><font size="2">Bob DeWoody</font></em> </div>

 

[yevaud]

At the moment, we know precisely <i>one</i> way for generating gravity (especially on the order you seek): placing a sufficiently large amount of mass into a small volume.<br /><br />We know precisely <i>zero</i> about manipulating it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[space_tycoon]

That's one part of science fiction I can never quite swallow: this idea that you could generate an artficial gravity environment by flipping a switch. Antigravity also seems a little far off in the future to me.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[grdja]

I think its possible. At the moment we dont even have a least bit for scientific basis for it, but we have great knowledge of electromagnetism, and weak and strong nuclear forces, but a very lacking description of gravity. But I dont see why shouldn't it be possible after new fundamental discoveries are made... (the Theory of Everything and stuff)

 

[MeteorWayne]

"I think its possible. At the moment we dont even have a least bit for scientific basis for it"<br /><br />Welcome to Space.com, with your first non sequiter... <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[ashish27]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p> So yeah I was thinking as I watched Star Wars , if we knew how to manipulate gravity is it theoretically possible to create a tractor beam using gravity? <br /><br />Is there technology around that could create a gravitational field artificially or is this even possible. <br />Is this something that is being developed or thought about currently? <p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />1. yes, absolutely<br /><br />2. No<br /><br />3. No, people are focussing on meteors

 

[yevaud]

I always wondered how it would be possible to just generate gravity, when gravity is an expression of mass on spacetime. <br /><br />It seems to me that the any way to generate gravity will have to mimic the same mechanism, meaning that while you might have an apparent 1G field - you will also be lugging around a vast amount of mass to generate it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>