Novel Payload Dynamics on Space Elevator Systems

McInnes, Colin R.; Davis, C. J.

doi:10.2514/6.iac-05-d4.2.07

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…The overall force on the whole chain is then f = n i=1 f i . Performing the summation the internal tensions T i vanish and the net resultant force on the chain of masses is given by (see also [18])…”

Section: System Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A direct evolution of the space elevator is the orbital siphon concept firstly introduced by Davis and elaborated by McInnes [18], which is the foundation of this work. In this case, rather than a single payload ascending along the tether, a chain of connected masses is envisaged, where the centripetal pull due to the body's spin can overcome the gravitational force on the payloads, eventually allowing payloads to escape.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analytical mechanics of asteroid disassembly using the Orbital Siphon effect

2018

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A chain of tether-connected payload masses assembled from the surface material of a spherical rotating asteroid is envisaged as a means of delivering a fraction of the asteroid mass into orbit, without the need of external work to be done. Under conditions to be discussed, a net radial force is established on the chain which can be exploited to initialize an orbital siphon effect: new payloads are connected to the chain while top payloads are removed and released into orbit. Adopting simplifying assumptions, the underlying dynamics of the problem is entirely analytical and is investigated in detail. The amount of mass extractable from the asteroid is then discussed, according to a range of strategies. It is proposed that the scheme could in future provide an efficient means of extracting material resources from rotating Near Earth Asteroids.

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Section: System Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analytical mechanics of asteroid disassembly using the Orbital Siphon effect

2018

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“…Williams 7 studied the frequencies and mode shapes of the tether using a lumped-mass model and simulated the effects of the elevator climbing up to geosynchronous orbit. In recent years, some researchers have focused on the dynamic response of the tether systems with the moving elevator [8][9][10][11][12] as well as librational oscillations suppression via optimal control of the elevator speed. 13,14 According to these studies, it has been proved that the solely librational oscillations in-plane can be eliminated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-equatorial space elevator design approach

Wang

Fan

Cui

et al. 2018

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G:

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The advantages of a non-equatorial space elevator have attracted the attention of several researchers. In this paper, two static tether models are presented for studying the tapering of a uniform-stress tether using a discretization method. The efficiency and accuracy of the two models are verified by comparing them with models used in other studies. We then study the range of latitudes that allowed for a uniform-stress space elevator and evaluate the influence of the anchor-point latitude on the system payload capacity. The results show that increasing the tensile strength of the tether material can expand the range of the space elevator system deployment. However, a high latitude of anchorage would greatly sacrifice the payload capacity.

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“…This technique has its foundation on the orbital siphon concept, devised by Davis, and elaborated in Ref. [14]. The orbital siphon is a chain of tether-connected payloads (here, the asteroid material) arranged vertically from the surface of the asteroid equator.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Asteroid Deflection by Leveraging Rotational Self-Energy

Viale

McInnes

Bailet

et al. 2021

Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets

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A novel concept for the deflection of rotating asteroids is presented, based on the conversion of the asteroid rotational kinetic energy into translational kinetic energy. Such conversion is achieved using an orbital siphon, a tether-connected chain of masses, arranged vertically from the asteroid surface, which exploits the rotation of the asteroid for the delivery of mass from the asteroid to escape. Under the conditions to be discussed, the siphon can be initiated to ensure self-sustained flow of mass from the asteroid to escape. This mechanism is proposed to use a fraction of the asteroid as reaction mass, with the asteroid rotational kinetic energy leveraged to deliver the mass to escape and hence impart a reaction on the asteroid itself. Key parameters, such as velocity change, deflection duration, tension requirements and siphon length, are discussed. Deflection e ectiveness is assessed for di erent release strategies. It is shown that typical velocity changes on the order of 1 cm s 1 can be achieved within a time window of a decade.

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Novel Payload Dynamics on Space Elevator Systems

Cited by 6 publications

References 4 publications

Analytical mechanics of asteroid disassembly using the Orbital Siphon effect

Analytical mechanics of asteroid disassembly using the Orbital Siphon effect

Non-equatorial space elevator design approach

Asteroid Deflection by Leveraging Rotational Self-Energy

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