ELECTROSTATIC VELOCITY ADJUSTMENT OF PAYLOADS LAUNCHED BY LUNAR MASS-DRIVER
| Autor: | David J. Ross, Eric C. Hannah, T.A. Heppenheimer |
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| Rok vydání: | 1981 |
| Předmět: |
Physics
Toroid Stability criterion Payload Mass driver Applied Mathematics Electrical breakdown Aerospace Engineering Mechanics Geodesy Capacitance law.invention Acceleration Transverse plane Capacitor Space and Planetary Science Control and Systems Engineering law Electrical and Electronic Engineering Voltage |
| Zdroj: | 4th Space manufacturing; Proceedings of the Fifth Conference. |
| Popis: | Payloads launched by lunar mass-driver do not incorporate onboard midcourse correction capability, and their trajectories must be accurately adjusted to a specified launch state. We consider electrostatic methods for this adjustment. For adjustment transverse to the flight path, we propose a cylindrical array of parallel rods surrounding the flight path, which simulate a capacitor formed from oppositely charged hemicylinders. We give a solution for the action on a spherical payload of its multiple charged rods, and present reference configurations for which the capacitance is given analytically. The transverse force is 50 N/MV. For adjustment of velocity magnitude we propose a tandem array of conducting toroids, their central holes forming a tunnel for the flight path. We treat capacitance and performance for a single charged toroid; again the longitudinal force generated is -50 N/MV. We derive a stability criterion for longitudinal adjustment. We discuss problems posed by the required high static voltages, noting breakdown mechanisms and critical voltages, effects of dust, charging of payloads, and solar wind effects. The most serious problem appears to be preventing breakdown (arcing) initiated by loose dust particles from the payloads. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
| Externí odkaz: |
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