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Free Re-boost Electrodynamic Tether on the International Space StationThe International Space Station (ISS) currently experiences significant orbital drag that requires constant make up propulsion or the Station will quickly reenter the Earth's Atmosphere. The reboost propulsion is presently achieved through the firing of hydrazine rockets at the cost of considerable propellant mass. The problem will inevitably grow much worse as station components continue to be assembled, particularly when the full solar panel arrays are deployed. This paper discusses many long established themes on electrodynamic propulsion in the context of Exploration relevance, shows how to couple unique ISS electrical power system characteristics and suggests a way to tremendously impact ISS's sustainability. Besides allowing launch mass and volume presently reserved for reboost propellant to be reallocated for science experiments and other critically needed supplies, there are a series of technology hardware demonstrations steps that can be accomplished on ISS, which are helpful to NASA s Exploration mission. The suggested ElectroDynamic (ED) tether and flywheel approach is distinctive in its use of free energy currently unusable, yet presently available from the existing solar array panels on ISS. The ideas presented are intended to maximize the utility of Station and radically increase orbital safety.
Document ID
20050205838
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Bonometti, Joseph A. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Sorenson, Kirk F. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Jansen, Ralph H. (Toledo Univ. OH, United States)
Dankanich, John W. (Gray Research, Inc. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Frame, Kyle L. (Gray Research, Inc. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
July 5, 2005
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA Paper 2005-4545
Meeting Information
Meeting: 41st AlAA Joint Propulsion Conference
Location: Tucson, AZ
Country: United States
Start Date: July 10, 2005
End Date: July 13, 2005
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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