Shkadov thruster

noun

A hypothetical megastructure consisting of a gargantuan statite used to redirect the radiation pressure of a star, generating a net thrust which slowly accelerates the whole system in the direction of the statite.

Similar
Shkadov drive
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Meanings

nounShkadov thruster (plural Shkadov thrusters)

plural Shkadov thrusters

  1. space flightA hypothetical megastructure consisting of a gargantuan statite used to redirect the radiation pressure of a star, generating a net thrust which slowly accelerates the whole system in the direction of the statite.

    Synonyms: Shkadov drive

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA hypothetical megastructure consisting of a gargantuan statite used to redirect the radiation pressure of a star, generating a net thrust which slowly accelerates the whole system in the direction of the statite.

Similar
Shkadov drive
Also see
shkadov drive

Origin

Named after Soviet engineer Dr. Leonid Shkadov, who first proposed it.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Shkadov thruster. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Shkadov%20thruster

MLA

“Shkadov thruster.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Shkadov%20thruster. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Shkadov thruster,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Shkadov%20thruster.

Source: Shkadov thruster on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.