Numerical Treatment of Geophysical Interactions of Electrodynamic Tethers
Abstract
This Report summarizes the results achieved during three years under an AFOSR Grant for the development of numerical methods aimed at physical clarification and rational design of Electrodynamic Tethers with electron collection on the bare wire surface. The work was mainly carried out as part of one Doctoral Thesis (Tatsuo Onishi, MIT, Aug. 2002) and three MS Theses (Jean Benoit Ferry, MIT Aero/Astro, Dec. 2004; C.H. Zeineh, MIT AerolAstro, underway). The original PIC code of Onishi was extended by Ferry, and their results have been documented in our two previous Yearly Reports. During the third year of the Grant, a new and more advanced code by Dr. Oleg Batischev, of our Space Propulsion Lab, was adapted an exploited by J. Marie Deux, whose Thesis is included as part of this Final Report. All the preceding work was aimed at the bare tether electron collection problem, for propulsion and power applications, in addition, work was also initiated by C. Zeineh on the application of high-voltage tethers to Radiation Belt Remediation; a preliminary account of this work (which is being extended under a new AFOSR Grant) is also included in this Report.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 13, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA435809
Entities
People
- Martinez Sanchez
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology