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Investigating the Feasibility and Mission Enabling Potential of Miniaturized Electrodynamic Tethers for Femtosatellites and Other Ultra-small Satellites
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Bell, Iverson C. Gilchrist, Brian E. Liaw, David Singh, Vritika Hagen, Kyle A. Lu, Chen Cutler, James W. Bilen, Sven G. McTernan, Jesse K. |
| Copyright Year | 2013 |
| Abstract | The success of nanospacecraft (1–10 kg) and the evolution of the millimeter-scale wireless sensor network concept have cultivated interest in small, sub-kilogram scale, “smartphone”-sized ultra-small satellites, either as stand-alone spacecraft or as elements in a maneuverable fleet. Many of these are envisioned to have a flat geometry and can have a high area-to-mass ratio, which results in a short orbital lifetime in low Earth orbit due to atmospheric drag. Here, we update previous trade studies in which we investigated the use of a very short (few meters), semi-rigid electrodynamic tether for ultra-small satellite propulsion. The results reveal that an insulated tether, only a few meters long and tens of micrometers in diameter, can provide 10-g to 1-kg satellites with complete drag cancellation and the ability to change orbit. Further, a few meter tether could serve as a communications antenna. We also provide a description of the Miniature Tether Electrodynamics Experiment (MiTEE) being planned. The goal of MiTEE will be to demonstrate and study miniature electrodynamic tether capabilities in space. |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://clasp-research.engin.umich.edu/groups/s3fl/mitee/iversonpapers/small%20sat%202013%20final%20final.pdf |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2958&context=smallsat&httpsredir=1&referer= |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
