A comprehensive visit of the complex outer planet systems is a central goal in space science. However, orbiting multiple moons of the same planet would be extremely prohibitive using traditional propulsion and power technologies. In this paper, a new mission concept, named Magnetour, is presented to facilitate the exploration of outer planet systems and address both power and propulsion challenges. This approach would enable a single spacecraft to orbit and travel between multiple moons of an outer planet, without significant propellant or onboard power source. To achieve this free-lunch ‘Grand Tour’, Magnetour exploits the unexplored combination of magnetic and multi-body gravitational fields of planetary systems, with a unique focus on using a bare electrodynamic tether for power and propulsion. Preliminary results indicate that the Magnetour concept is sound and is potentially highly promising at Jupiter.
MAGNETOUR: Surfing Planetary Systems on Electromagnetic and Multi-Body Gravity Fields
International Conference of Tethers In Space ; 2016 ; Ann Arbor, MI, United States
2016-05-24
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Keine Angabe
Englisch
MAGNETOUR: Surfing Planetary Systems on Electromagnetic and Multi-Body Gravity Fields
Online Contents | 2016
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