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Spaceborne centrifugal relays for spacecraft propulsionAcceleration using centrifugal relays is a recently discovered method for the acceleration of spaceborne payloads to high velocity at high thrust. Centrifugal relays are moving rotors which progressively accelerate reaction mass to higher velocities. One important engineering problem consists of accurately tracking the position of the projectiles and rotors and guiding each projectile exactly onto the appropriate guide tracks on each rotor. The topics of this research are the system kinematics and dynamics and the computerized guidance system which will allow the projectile to approach each rotor with exact timing with respect to the rotor rotation period and with very small errors in lateral positions. Kinematics studies include analysis of rotor and projectile positions versus time and projectile/rotor interactions. Guidance studies include a detailed description of the tracking mechanism (interrupt of optical beams) and the aiming mechanism (electromagnetic focusing) including the design of electromagnetic deflection coils and the switching circuitry.
Document ID
19930007465
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Ouzidane, Malika (Illinois Univ. Observatory Urbana, IL, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Subject Category
Launch Vehicles And Space Vehicles
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.26:191773
NASA-CR-191773
Accession Number
93N16654
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG3-1037
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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