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Space Test of Bare-Wire Anode TethersAn international team, lead by Tokyo Metropolitan University, is developing a mission concept for a suborbital test of orbital-motion-limited (OML) bare-wire anode current collection for application to electrodynamic tether propulsion. The tether is a tape with a 50-mm width, 0.05-mm thickness, and 1-km length. This will be the first space test of the OML theory. In addition, by being an engineering demonstration (of space tethers), the mission will demonstrate electric beam generation for "sounding" determination of the neutral density profile in the ionospheric "E-layer." If selected by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science/Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the mission will launch in early 2009 using an $520 Sounding Rocket. During ascent, and above =100 km in attitude, the 1-km tape tether will be deployed at a rate of 8 m/s. Once deployed, the tape tether will serve as an anode, collecting ionospheric electrons. The electrons will be expelled into space by a hollow cathode device, thereby completing the circuit and allowing current to flow.This paper will describe the objectives of the proposed mission, the technologies to be employed, and the application of the results to future space missions using electrodynamic tethers for propulsion or power generation.
Document ID
20070031865
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Johnson, L.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Fujii, H. A.
(Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Technology Tokyo, Japan)
Sanmartin, J. R.
(Universidad Politecnica de Madrid Madrid, Spain)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
May 14, 2007
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Meeting Information
Meeting: 54th JANNAF Propulsion Meeting
Location: Denver, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: May 14, 2007
End Date: May 17, 2007
Sponsors: Department of the Air Force, NASA Headquarters, Department of the Navy, Department of the Army
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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