MARCUS: Moon and Mars Gravity in a LEO Satellite
- Paper number
IAC-08.A2.3.2
- Author
Mr. Jerome Pearson, Star Technology and Research, Inc., United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Eugene Levin, Star Technology and Research, Inc., United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Joseph Carroll, Tether Applications, Inc., United States
- Coauthor
Mr. John Oldson, Star Technology and Research, Inc., United States
- Year
2008
- Abstract
The current NASA Vision for Space Exploration covers missions to the Moon and Mars, but does not include measurement of long-term effects of lunar and Martian gravity on living subjects. We propose MARCUS, a lightweight, low-cost, free-flying, artificial gravity spacecraft that can be launched as secondary payload on an Atlas 5, Delta 4, Pegasus or Falcon 1. In contrast to proposals for compact spinning spacecraft with Coriolis effects, the proposed system consists of two animal enclosure capsules rotating at the ends of a smart electrodynamic tether several kilometers long. If the end masses are identical, they can both experience lunar or Martian gravity; if they are different, one capsule can experience lunar gravity and the other Martian gravity. Depending on the life support requirements, the capsules could house several white mice for weeks or months. The smart tether not only controls the rotation rate and the proper gravity levels, but is used to deploy the system and move it to orbits that can come closer to duplicating the conditions on the Moon or Mars, such as high-inclination or high-altitude orbits with higher radiation levels. It can also be used to release the capsules on command with the proper velocity and trajectory to cause their re-entry. Heat shields and parachutes can then be used to allow helicopter recovery of the live animals, allowing direct comparison with control animals on the ground. The technology, spacecraft, and method of operation are described, based on our advancements in electrodynamic tethers and maneuvering spacecraft, and our MARCUS proposal to NASA Headquarters. This system would allow filling in the data gap between 0-g and 1-g, which ground-based centrifuges cannot do. The robotic spacecraft could also be operated cheaply without depending on the limited resources of the ISS. This material is new and original, and has not been presented before; substantial technical content will be included; and the lead author will attend the IAC in Glasgow to present it.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.A2.3.2.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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