Exploration of Outer Planets Using Tethers for Power and Propulsion

Sanmartin, J. R.; Lorenzini, Enrico

doi:10.2514/1.10772

Cited by 27 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The use of electrodynamic tethers (EDTs) has been proposed as an alternative and efficient solution in scenarios, such as orbital debris mitigation (Ahedo and Sanmartin 2002;Johnson et al 2000;Pelaez and Sanjurjo 2006) and planetary exploration (Sanmartin and Lorenzini 2005). An analysis of both applications can be found in Sanmartin et al (2010) and Sanchez-Torres (2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficient Computation of Current Collection in Bare Electrodynamic Tethers in and beyond OML Regime

2015

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Abstract:One key issue in the simulation of bare electrodynamic tethers (EDTs) is the accurate and fast computation of the collected current, an ambient dependent operation necessary to determine the Lorentz force for each time step. This paper introduces a novel semianalytical solution that allows researchers to compute the current distribution along the tether efficient and effectively under orbital-motion-limited (OML) and beyond OML conditions, i.e., if tether radius is greater than a certain ambient dependent threshold. The method reduces the original boundary value problem to a couple of nonlinear equations. If certain dimensionless variables are used, the beyond OML effect just makes the tether characteristic length L* larger and it is decoupled from the current determination problem. A validation of the results and a comparison of the performance in terms of the time consumed is provided, with respect to a previous ad hoc solution and a conventional shooting method.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficient Computation of Current Collection in Bare Electrodynamic Tethers in and beyond OML Regime

2015

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“…The plot highlights the advantage of using EDTs as power plants (as opposed to low-power-density radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG)-based power sources (typical power density levels for RTGs do not exceed 8 W/kg) in the lower part of Jupiter's plasmasphere, as already pointed out in the literature [1,2,[11][12][13].…”

Section: B Jupiter Orbitmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…Introduction O NBOARD power generation is an important application of electrodynamic tethers (EDTs). When working in passive mode, that is, when no active onboard power supplies are present, EDTs can be used to efficiently convert part of the orbital energy lost during the deorbit process into useful onboard power In particular circumstances, power can also be extracted by the energy of a planet-corotating plasmasphere [1,2]. Similar to other EDT applications, power efficiency can be boosted by adopting a bare conductive tether as an anodic contactor [3][4][5].…”

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confidence: 99%

Power Density of a Bare Electrodynamic Tether Generator

Bombardelli

2012

Journal of Propulsion and Power

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= tether cross-sectional area = surface magnetic field intensity at equator = motional electric field projected along the tether = Lorentz force = average dimensionless current = dimensionless current at the load = tether length = electron mass, m, = 9.10938188 x lO^^' kg = perimeter of the tether cross section = electron charge, q, = 1.60217646 x lO"'' C) = planet radius = orbit radius = magnetic field unit vector = tether line unit vector = plasmasphere velocity = spacecraft velocity = load power = magnetic power = dimensionless load power = tether-plasma contact impedance = effective plasma contact impedance = tether ohmic impedance = maximum power density = load power efficiency = planet gravitational parameter = nondimensional anodic segment length = tether material density = tether material conductivity = dimensionless bias at the load = angular velocity of planet-corotating plasmasphere

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“…For Earth orbits, where the geostationary orbit is high above the limit of the ionosphere, it is not possible to obtain energy from the corotational electric field for a passive tether in a circular orbit, however, this is feasible in other orbits, for example, a Jovian orbit. For a further discussion of this issue, see [22].…”

Section: F Corotational Electric Fieldmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Analysis of Bare Electrodynamic Tethers

Sanjurjo-Rivo

Peláez

2011

Journal of Propulsion and Power

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The design of an electrodynamic tether is a complex task that involves the control of dynamic instabilities, optimization of the generated power (or the descent time in deorbiting missions), and minimization of the tether mass. The electrodynamic forces on an electrodynamic tether are responsible for variations in the mechanical energy of the tethered system and can also drive the system to dynamic instability. Energy sources and sinks in this system include the following: 1) ionospheric impedance, 2) the potential drop at the cathodic contactor, 3) ohmic losses in the tether, 4) the corotational plasma electric field, and 5) generated power and/or 6) input power. The analysis of each of these energy components, or bricks, establishes parameters that are useful tools for tether design. In this study, the nondimensional parameters that govern the orbital energy variation, dynamic instability, and power generation were characterized, and their mutual interdependence was established. A space-debris mitigation mission was taken as an example of this approach for the assessment of tether performance. Numerical simulations using a dumbbell model for tether dynamics, the International Geomagnetic Reference Field for the geomagnetic field, and the International Reference Ionosphere for the ionosphere were performed to test the analytical approach. The results obtained herein stress the close relationships that exist among the velocity of descent, dynamic stability, and generated power. An optimal tether design requires a detailed tradeoff among these performances in a real-world scenario. = area of the tether cross section = semimajor axis of the tethered system orbit = mechanical energy of the tethered system = motional electric field = eccentricity of the tethered system orbit = resultant of the gravitational force = resultant of the perturbation forces = nondimensional Lorentz torque = switching function between passive and active tethers = angular momentum = thickness of a thin-tape tether = current along the tether = central inertia tensor = short-circuit current = inclination of the tethered system orbit = nondimensional current along the tether = tether length = characteristic tether length = nondimensional tether length = gravitational torque on the center of mass = torque of the perturbation forces = mass of the tethered system = electron mass = ion mass = point mass at the lower end of the tether = point mass at the upper end of the tether = density of ionospheric plasma = tether perimeter = electron charge = tether radius = tether resistance 00= position vector = time of descent = tether line unit vector = bias voltage of tether with respect to plasma = potential drop at cathodic contactor = gravitational potential energy = plasma voltage = tether voltage = nondimensional potential drop at the cathodic contactor = velocity of a tether element = inertial velocity of the tethered system = plasma velocity = power dissipated by electrodynamic forces in a tether element = cathodic electric load = arbitrary value...

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Exploration of Outer Planets Using Tethers for Power and Propulsion

Abstract: Abstract. A new way for capturing a satellite in the gravity field of Jupiter and navigating through the Jovian system by using the interaction with the magnetic field of Jupiter is presented

Cited by 27 publications

References 11 publications

Efficient Computation of Current Collection in Bare Electrodynamic Tethers in and beyond OML Regime

Efficient Computation of Current Collection in Bare Electrodynamic Tethers in and beyond OML Regime

Power Density of a Bare Electrodynamic Tether Generator

Energy Analysis of Bare Electrodynamic Tethers

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