Los Gatos, California, based Arx Pax, on Wednesday, announced that it has signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA. The partnership includes Magnetic Field Architecture (MFA) technology of Arx Pax, which will be used to make micro-satellite capture devices. Such devices have the ability to manipulate and couple satellites from a distance.

The MFA technology conjures up pictures of the tractor beam used in ‘Star Trek’. In an email to FoxNews.com, Arx Pax CEO Greg Henderson explained, “Likely uses for this technology include manipulating various types of objects at a distance without touching them or colliding with them. One example could be moving an object, like a satellite, or holding it stationary without physical contact”.

Arx Pax is the company which made Marty McFly’s hoverboard a reality. It hasn’t disclosed any specific details of the technology’s roadmap yet. In the email, Henderson mentioned that the tie-up is evolving and the project is in process. He said that they would share more information as they hit specific joint development milestones.

In a statement, Luke Murchison, On-Orbit Autonomous Assembly from Nanosatellites Project Manager at NASA Langley Research Center, said that they are continuously placing a firm emphasis on innovation and collaboration. Murchison added that they are confident and eager about the possibilities the agreement is offering.

The focus of the partnership is on micro-satellites, which might reflect cubesats growing role in the space industry. For instance, recently, NASA announced that it is planning to offer more rocket rides for cubesats, tiny box-shaped satellites.