Changing the orbit of a satellite around Earth by using a thruster consumes a lot of fuel. Fuel on a spacecraft also increases the weight of the spacecraft, adding to the expense of launch. This article introduces a way to maneuver a satellite based on electric charge interacting with Earth's magnetic field while the satellite orbits, a method which is far less expensive and does not rely of consuming fuel. The results of this study can help scientists better design spacecraft in the future.

http://www.raa-journal.org/raa/index.php/raa/article/view/1658