Design of An ELF/VLF Satellite for under the Ice Submarine Communications

Abstract

This thesis proposes the design of a space based tethered antenna satellite system for ELF/VLF communications with submarines in the far northern latitudes, and under the polar ice. By using the dynamo effect of a moving wire in a (geo)magnetic field, the tether cable can produce sens of kilowatts of its own radiation power. The transmitted signal of IKHz-3KHz will be whistler mode propagation to couple to the earth's field lines and follow them down to the surface. The signal can penetrate 100m of seawater, and ice of unlimited thickness. A constellation of 12 satellites will provide 75% duty cycle coverage for each submarine operating area of over four million square kilometers. Issues examined are: tether electrodynamics and mechanics, debris survivability, ionospheric radio and plasma physics, plasma contactors, satellite and constellation design concepts, cost analysis, and military mission needs analysis.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA202607

Entities

People

  • Gary C. Thompson

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Astronautics
  • Communications Techniques
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Energy Storage
  • Geometry
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Payload
  • Radio Waves
  • Refraction
  • Refractive Index
  • Satellite Constellations
  • Solar Panels
  • Space Debris
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris
  • Space - Satellites