Electromagnetic formation flight for the Terrestrial Planet Finder

Details Electromagnetic formation flight for the Terrestrial Planet Finder Electromagnetic formation flight for the Terrestrial Planet Finder

Aug 2005

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005spie.5905..357k&link_type=abstract

Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets II. Edited by Coulter, Daniel R. Proceedings of the SPIE, Volume 590

Computer Science

1

Scientific paper

Current techniques for actuating spacecraft in formation flying systems such as NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) use propellant-based systems. While maintaining relative orientation, propellant can become a critical consumable which can limit the mission lifetime. Additionally, propellant can cause optimal contamination, plume impingement, thermal emission, and vibration excitation. A novel technique called Electromagnetic Formation Flight (EMFF) can be used to eliminate propellant-based systems to control the relative degrees of freedom for TPF. The EMFF system consists of electromagnets in concert with reaction wheels and is used to replace the consumables. Solar energy, a renewable resource provides power for EMFF. This paper investigates the design for TPF using EMFF. The results show that EMFF is a viable option for TPF and compares favorably in terms of mass to propellant-based systems.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Electromagnetic formation flight for the Terrestrial Planet Finder does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Electromagnetic formation flight for the Terrestrial Planet Finder, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electromagnetic formation flight for the Terrestrial Planet Finder will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-802628