A new approach for the erection of rigid large scale structures in space—MIC (Magnetically Inflated Cable)—is described. MIC structures are launched as a compact payload of superconducting cables and attached tethers. After reaching orbit, the superconducting cables are energized with electrical current. The magnet force interactions between the cables cause them to expand outwards into the final large structure. Various structural shapes and applications are described.
The MIC structure can be a simple flat disc with a superconducting outer ring that supports a tether network holding a solar cell array, or it can form a curved mirror surface that concentrates light and focuses it on a smaller region—for example, a high flux solar array that generates electric power, a high temperature receiver that heats propellant for high Isp propulsion, and a giant primary reflector for a telescope for astronomy and Earth surveillance. Linear dipole and quadrupole MIC structures are also possible. The linear quadrupole structure can be used for magnetic shielding against cosmic radiation for astronauts, for example.
MIC could use lightweight YBCO superconducting HTS (High Temperature Superconductor) cables, that can operate with liquid coolant at engineering current densities of A 1 kilometer length of MIC cable would weigh only 3 metric tons, including superconductor, thermal insulations, coolant circuits, and refrigerator, and fit within a 3 cubic meter compact package for launch. Four potential MIC applications are described: Solar‐thermal propulsion using propellant, space based solar power generation for beaming power to Earth, a large space telescope, and solar electric generation for a manned lunar base. The first 3 applications use large MIC solar concentrating mirrors, while the 4th application uses a surface based array of solar cells on a magnetically levitated MIC structure to follow the sun. MIC space based mirrors can be very large and light in weight. A 300 meter diameter MIC mirror in orbit for example, would weigh 20 metric tons and MIC structures can be easily developed and tested on Earth at small scale in existing evacuated chambers followed by larger scale tests in the atmosphere, using a vacuum tight enclosure on the small diameter superconducting cable to prevent air leakage into the evacuated thermal insulation around the superconducting cable.
MIC—Large Scale Magnetically Inflated Cable Structures for Space Power, Propulsion, Communications and Observational Applications
SPACE, PROPULSION & ENERGY SCIENCES INTERNATIONAL FORMUM SPESIF‐2010: 14th Conference on Thermophysics Applications in Microgravity 7th Symposium on New Frontiers in Space Propulsion Sciences 2nd Symposium on Astrosociology 1st Symposium on High Frequency Gravitational Waves ; 2010 ; Huntsville (Alabama)
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 1208 , 1 ; 571-582
28.01.2010
12 pages
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
MIC - a self deploying magnetically inflated cable system for large scale space structures
Online Contents | 2001
|MIC - a self deploying magnetically inflated cable system for large scale space structures
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|British Library Conference Proceedings | 2010
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