NASA/TP-208475, Gallagher, D.L. and Johnson, L. and Moore*, J. and Bagenal**, F., Electrodynamic Tether Propulsion and Power Generation at Jupiter, Program Development Directorate, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812, *SRS Technologies and **University of Colorado, June 1998, pp. 32, Format(s): PDF 500k |
The results of a study performed to evaluate the feasibility and merits of using an electrodynamic tether for propulsion and power generation for a spacecraft in the Jovian system are presented. The environment of the Jovian system has properties which are particularly favorable for utilization of an electrodynamic tether. Specifically, the planet has a strong magnetic field and the mass of the planet dictates high orbital velocities which, when combined with the planet's rapid rotation rate, can produce very large relative velocities between the magnetic field and the spacecraft. In a circular orbit close to the planet, tether propulsive forces are found to be as high as 50 N and power levels as high as 1 MW.
| Keywords: | tethers, electrodynamic propulsion, orbit transfer, power generation, in-space transportation |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Astronautics: Spacecraft Propulsion And Power |
| ID Code: | 457 |
| Deposited On: | 19 July 2002 |