http://m.space.com/31063-electric-sail-solar-wind-space-exploration.html
Has anyone heard of this new type of sail?
Has anyone heard of this new type of sail?
Electric Sail
- Thread starter Dryson
- Start date
Electic sail
Unfortunately, ESTCube-1 failed to deploy its sail. It was a relatively cheap missions so perhaps they'll try again.
I don't think magnetic sails have been tried yet. Perhaps the two could be combined as magsails can be used inside a planetary magnetosphere and even to slow down, which E-sails can't. The mass/thrust ratio is very similar for solar and magnetic sails (about 700 kg/N) because even though the photons in sunlight carry more momentum, the sail also weighs more. I don't know what the comparable mass/thrust ratio is for E-sails but the power unit or solar arrays needed to maintain the tether charge must add significantly to the mass.
Unfortunately, ESTCube-1 failed to deploy its sail. It was a relatively cheap missions so perhaps they'll try again.
I don't think magnetic sails have been tried yet. Perhaps the two could be combined as magsails can be used inside a planetary magnetosphere and even to slow down, which E-sails can't. The mass/thrust ratio is very similar for solar and magnetic sails (about 700 kg/N) because even though the photons in sunlight carry more momentum, the sail also weighs more. I don't know what the comparable mass/thrust ratio is for E-sails but the power unit or solar arrays needed to maintain the tether charge must add significantly to the mass.
The best way to manage the sail would be exactly the same way that a Marine Recon Parachutist operates their parachute. By pulling on controls the Marine is able to adjust the direct or travel that the parachute takes them. Since it is a as well the same mechanics used to catch the best wind would also be used. To slow the craft down the central area of the sail would need to be drawn in allowing the outside area of the sail to remain loose so it wouldnt catch the particles as much. A secondary sail behind the craft would allow capture the particles already present that the craft was passing through that would create drag based on the inverse operating principal of the sail that catches the particles and propels the craft forward. The drag chute would be similar to the drag chute on the shuttle or any drag strip funny car in in operation. Both sails would need to have micro servo articulating joints that would allow both sails to be folded in the necessary position in order to create the most forward propulsion and drag.
Basically if the same material and process is used with the Drag Sail deployed behind the craft the Drag Sail would attract the same particles the Main Sail attracts.
As the Main Sail is reduced in total overall area reducing the amount of particle mass placed against it and the Drag Sail behind the craft increase in area then particle mass would reduce the forward velocity of the craft.
As the Main Sail is reduced in total overall area reducing the amount of particle mass placed against it and the Drag Sail behind the craft increase in area then particle mass would reduce the forward velocity of the craft.
This is the one sail that does use the solar wind. The typical solar sail is to use photon pressure. Fields can be a bit harder to navigate.
This O/T map shows frquencies of transmission on the planet:
A little more on the concept
https://www.nasa.gov/content/heliopause-electrostatic-rapid-transit-system-herts/#.VkZzeNKrS70
Over periods of months, this small force can accelerate the spacecraft to enormous speeds—on the order of 100-150 km/s (~ 20 to 30 AU/year)...The propulsion system consists of an array of electrically biased wires that extend outward 10 to 30 km from a rotating spacecraft
In unrelated news--a space elevator documentary will show up soon: http://spaceelevator.net/
Misc:
http://exploredeepspace.com/
This O/T map shows frquencies of transmission on the planet:
A little more on the concept
https://www.nasa.gov/content/heliopause-electrostatic-rapid-transit-system-herts/#.VkZzeNKrS70
Over periods of months, this small force can accelerate the spacecraft to enormous speeds—on the order of 100-150 km/s (~ 20 to 30 AU/year)...The propulsion system consists of an array of electrically biased wires that extend outward 10 to 30 km from a rotating spacecraft
In unrelated news--a space elevator documentary will show up soon: http://spaceelevator.net/
Misc:
http://exploredeepspace.com/
STOP THAT.
^ Don't try and do the mod vigilante thing. We don't need online Batmen on these forums. If you think a user is doing something wrong: Report the post.
Having said that:
publiusr, please stop treating the forum like a link dump site. Linking stuff that is actually relevant to the thread is just fine but sadly you're not always doing that. I'd also appreciate if your "original content : link"-ratio shifted a bit in favor of your own thoughts.
This is a discussion form, not a tumblr.
Having said that:
publiusr, please stop treating the forum like a link dump site. Linking stuff that is actually relevant to the thread is just fine but sadly you're not always doing that. I'd also appreciate if your "original content : link"-ratio shifted a bit in favor of your own thoughts.
This is a discussion form, not a tumblr.
Sorry about all that.
My mind wanders.
The point I was making linking e-sails and space elevators was with respect to (seemingly unrelated links like this:
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/S...uts_equatorial_regions_power_at_risk_999.html
Now notice that there is nothing in this bit of news that has anything to do with space elevators--but notice where this zone of interference is--along the equator--where SEs have to be built--acting like an aerial--like the e-sail whip antenna.
I know my mind doesn't work the same way a lot of other folks do--but I like to look for connections.
For example, at a space-elevator forum, I made a post about the ITCZ, a zone of storms/low pressure that circles the globe--right there along where space elevators would be placed. I mentioned--because of my interest in weather-- that there could be a threat of icing loads, since convection along the equator allows taller storms. They had no idea what the ITCZ was.
I had one conversation with an author about the ozone hole. He could tell me everything about the results of the Topex Poseidon weather sat. But he thought there were no volcanoes in Antarctica--like Mt. Erebus.
Dare I say it--but I see "links" everywhere.
Therefore I really wonder at the hostility toward my occasional digressions. I would think folks would like to know about new movies about space, in whatever capacity.
Most folks can afford their own computer, afford web access. So they post a little every day. I visit a library once a week or so--see what's going on, and do my posts for the week all then.
Looking back on things, I guess it looks like I'm trying to dominate discussion when it wasn't meant as a violation of net etiquette, some of which is lost on me.
This world needs generalists--it is thought that easily distracted people helped walk out of Africa after all.
I would ask the folks here to indulge me my own walkabouts.
My mind wanders.
The point I was making linking e-sails and space elevators was with respect to (seemingly unrelated links like this:
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/S...uts_equatorial_regions_power_at_risk_999.html
Now notice that there is nothing in this bit of news that has anything to do with space elevators--but notice where this zone of interference is--along the equator--where SEs have to be built--acting like an aerial--like the e-sail whip antenna.
I know my mind doesn't work the same way a lot of other folks do--but I like to look for connections.
For example, at a space-elevator forum, I made a post about the ITCZ, a zone of storms/low pressure that circles the globe--right there along where space elevators would be placed. I mentioned--because of my interest in weather-- that there could be a threat of icing loads, since convection along the equator allows taller storms. They had no idea what the ITCZ was.
I had one conversation with an author about the ozone hole. He could tell me everything about the results of the Topex Poseidon weather sat. But he thought there were no volcanoes in Antarctica--like Mt. Erebus.
Dare I say it--but I see "links" everywhere.
Therefore I really wonder at the hostility toward my occasional digressions. I would think folks would like to know about new movies about space, in whatever capacity.
Most folks can afford their own computer, afford web access. So they post a little every day. I visit a library once a week or so--see what's going on, and do my posts for the week all then.
Looking back on things, I guess it looks like I'm trying to dominate discussion when it wasn't meant as a violation of net etiquette, some of which is lost on me.
This world needs generalists--it is thought that easily distracted people helped walk out of Africa after all.
I would ask the folks here to indulge me my own walkabouts.
I would say a discussion of electrodynamic and momentum exchange tethers is related but methods such as skyhooks, space elevators, space fountains, and Lofstrom loops for getting in and out of gravity wells might stretch (sic) the limits of the topic too much.
Perhaps start a separate topic on those? Not sure how knowledgeable people are around here though nowadays.
Perhaps start a separate topic on those? Not sure how knowledgeable people are around here though nowadays.
I wonder about how tether type structures can move from one type to another.
I talked to Les Johnson not long ago (he actually takes a dim view of space elevators). There was some talk about the problem with charging the wires.
http://www.lesjohnsonauthor.com/
Then I remembered what electrical currents SEs may face, and how some folks in the past (Forward?) talked about discharging the Van Allen belts.
Maybe that's how you can charge an e-sail to begin with?
Dual-use.
I didn't even think to mention that to him.
Use natural currents to charge one up--maybe in the zone of a reconnection event only with a bit of rocket power, and maybe it snaps away on its own
I talked to Les Johnson not long ago (he actually takes a dim view of space elevators). There was some talk about the problem with charging the wires.
http://www.lesjohnsonauthor.com/
Then I remembered what electrical currents SEs may face, and how some folks in the past (Forward?) talked about discharging the Van Allen belts.
Maybe that's how you can charge an e-sail to begin with?
Dual-use.
I didn't even think to mention that to him.
Use natural currents to charge one up--maybe in the zone of a reconnection event only with a bit of rocket power, and maybe it snaps away on its own
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