Exploration of the Jovian System Tapping Jupiter's Rotational Energy

Details Exploration of the Jovian System Tapping Jupiter's Rotational Energy Exploration of the Jovian System Tapping Jupiter's Rotational Energy

Dec 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004agufm.p51b1434s&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2004, abstract #P51B-1434

Physics

7855 Spacecraft Sheaths, Wakes, Charging, 5729 Ionospheres (2459), 5744 Orbital And Rotational Dynamics, 5794 Instruments And Techniques, 6220 Jupiter

Scientific paper

Tours of the great outer planets and their moons can be accomplished by utilizing an electrodynamic tether attached to the spacecraft as both power system and propulsion device. Through interaction with the planetary magnetic field and inner plasmasphere, the tether could get electrical power, and either thrust or drag, out of the rotational motion of the planet; the relatively low altitude of the stationary orbit makes it possible to produce drag and power in portions of elliptical orbits inside the stationary orbit, and thrust and power outside. A Hollow Cathode and the (bare) tether itself would establish cathodic and anodic contact, respectively. By switching on and off the electrodynamic system at periapse and apoapse in specifically designed sequences, the orbit can be made to evolve to allow spacecraft capture, navigation through the moon system, and gravitational escape, without recourse to propellant and on-board power sources. For a tether tape in a Jovian tour, results are presented on a detailed orbital calculation of capture; on electrical power that can be drawn; on tether heating; and on expellant consumed at the Hollow Cathode throughout the tour. Orbital windows to get a secondary probe released from the spacecraft or the spacecraft itself into low orbit around Jupiter or one of its big moons, for scientific explorations, are discussed.

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