Assessment of the properties of electrodynamic tethers with autonomous charge generation

Abstract

Current creation in electrodynamic tethers by propellant ionization is allowing to receive high thrust from rather short conductor without limits imposed by concentration of external plasma. The magnetic field of the high current in such conductor help reflects the charged particles of cosmic rays. Estimates show that the 300 m long tether on LEO with hydrogen propellant achieves specific impulse 897 km/s. Energy consumption will be about 20 kW/N. Self-acceleration of such tether can be 0.01 - 0.02 m/s2. Also such tether protects the region with a radius of 2 m around the tether from the electrons with 1 MEv energy by creation of 1 kA current that demands the 30 kW power and the hydrogen consumption of 10 mg/sec. So, such tether can be considered for satellites maneuvers practically without restrictions on delta-V, fast high delta-V inter-orbital transfers, radiation protection of the high-inclination orbital station, and in the long term - for rapid deceleration of orbital objects. With the considerable length of the tether application for transporting to geosynchronous orbit, interplanetary transfers, radiation protection of space and planetary objects are possible.