The feasibility of an unmanned Mars airplane that receives its primary power from an RF (microwave) beam located on the Martian surface has been analyzed. An onboard rechargeable electrochemical storage system is to be used for special maneuvers, and possible range extension when the airplane is out of the line-of-sight of the microwave source antenna is included as a back-up to the microwave system. The weight of the onboard microwave beam receiving system, relative to other power systems, and the ability to recharge the onboard energy storage system in flight result in a payload capability independent of range and significant mission flexibility. Such an airplane, its onboard power system, its methods of utilization, and the transmitting station requirements to support various Martian exploration operations are presented. The status of microwave beam technology is given, in addition to the technology advances required for the microwave-beam-powered Mars airplane. The concept is thought to be feasible, but advances in microwave technology are required. It is concluded that the payload capability gives the Mars airplane significant operational flexibility and utilization.


    Zugriff

    Zugriff über TIB

    Verfügbarkeit in meiner Bibliothek prüfen


    Exportieren, teilen und zitieren



    Titel :

    Microwave beam powered Mars airplane


    Beteiligte:

    Kongress:

    Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference ; 1990 ; Reno, NV, United States


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    1990-01-01


    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Konferenz)


    Format :

    Keine Angabe


    Sprache :

    Englisch




    An airplane powered by microwave radiation

    Resnick, L.D. / Stiglitz, M.R. | Tema Archiv | 1988


    MARS Airplane

    J. R. French | NTIS | 1986


    A Mars airplane

    Clarke, V. C. / Kerem, A. / Lewis, R. | NTRS | 1979


    The Mars Airplane

    J R French | NTRS | 1986


    SOLAR POWERED AIRPLANE

    RAWDON BLAINE KNIGHT / KUTZMANN AARON J | Europäisches Patentamt | 2019

    Freier Zugriff