Energy Analysis of Bare Electrodynamic Tethers

Electrodynamic Tethers as Propulsion Systems: System Considerations and Future Plans

Electrodynamic space tethers offer the opportunity for in-space “propellantless” propulsion around planets with a magnetic field and an ionosphere. This propulsion is accomplished by converting the magnetic force on the tether current into propulsive or drag thrust to either increase or decrease the orbital energy of the spacecraft system. To validate electrodynamic-tether thrusting, we must be...

Arc Suppression Coatings for Electrodynamic Tethers and Spacecraft Cabling

Advanced insulation materials are needed to support future electrodynamic tether missions as well as for other high voltage applications requiring direct exposure to vacuum/space plasma conditions, such as cabling to solar arrays. Some of the desired characteristics of these materials include the ability to resist damage from low-Earth-orbit environments (including atomic oxygen and micrometeor...

Power Density of a Bare Electrodynamic Tether Generator

OJp = 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 = ...

Electrodynamic Analysis of Antennas in Multipath Conditions

Analysis on lightning triggering possibility along transmission tethers of high altitude wind energy exploitation system

Recently a new concept of umbrella–ladder combination system to exploit the high altitude wind energy has been proposed. In this system the polyethylene polymer transmission tether plays an important role as the connection between the high altitude wind power absorber and the ground station. To make the concept practical, whether the tether would lead lightning to the ground station is one of t...