Propellentless propulsion in magnetic fields by partially shielded current.
- Paper number
IAC-06-C4.6.05
- Author
Dr. Luzi Bergamin, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Dr. Alexander Pinchook, Belarus
- Coauthor
Dr. Dario Izzo, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Devices that interact with the planetary magnetic field are promising candidates for propellentless propulsion and spacecraft control. Here we propose a new device that shares some similarities with electromagnetic theters and allows propellentless propulsion. As resource to establish an interaction with the planetary magnetic field we propose currents in a partially shielded wire. Without shielding the Lorentz forces acting on the current in a closed wire sum up to zero. To overcome this restriction we use the well-known fact that the magnetic field cannot penetrate a superconducting material. Thus placing parts of the current inside a superconductor there results a net force acting on the wire and therefore a net force acting on the satellite. If the direction of the (unshielded) current is aligned perpendicular to the velocity of the satellite and perpendicular to the planetary magnetic field such a device works as a propellentless propulsion. It is important to realize that it cannot be used to extract energy from the planetary magnetic field, rather electric power that must be provided by standard methods is converted into kinetic one. Due to its design the net force is (almost) parallel to the velocity of the satellite. As in the case of theters the device can work in a reverse mode, where it transforms kinetic energy of the satellite into electric one, which can be used for power supply on the satellite. As applications drag compensation and orbital transfers in earth orbit as well as orbital transfers in Jovian orbit are discussed. The main limitation in all applications in earth orbit is the maximal available current. It is rather unlikely that the necessary currents to compensate the drag of low orbits are accessible. More interesting numbers are obtained for orbital transfers. As for any device that relies on the Lorentz-force interaction with the earth magnetic field, the efficiency is relevantly increased in retrograde orbits and vanishes for normal orbits at the geostationary point. Applications in the Jovian orbit yield a quite different picture. Thanks to the stronger magnetic field, high propulsive forces can be obtained with relatively small currents already. It is shown that reasonable numbers are obtained for a mission visiting different moons relying exclusively on this device.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-C4.6.05.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.