Numerical calculation of an electromagnetic accelerator for the needs of the ISS

Abstract

The article considers the possibilities of using an electromagnetic accelerator in the international space station. First of all, to launch nanosatellites and remove waste products. As a launch vehicle it is proposed to use a ferromagnetic head, which is accelerated by electromagnets. A scheme for charging capacitors from solar batteries through a flyback converter is proposed. A computer model based on the multiphysical connection between mechanics and electromagnetism has been created. The mathematical model was validated in an axisymmetric setting by comparing the numerical and analytical calculations of the magnetic induction. On the basis of theoretical ideas about the efficiency, the initial values of the capacitance of capacitors were obtained. An optimization technique is presented on the example of changing the capacitance of the capacitor and the length of the coil with a certain step. Substituting the speed of the ferromagnetic head departure from the previous coil as the initial speed in the subsequent calculation allows to determine the time of flight of each stage of the accelerator system and programmatically set the delay time for the discharge of the corresponding capacitor. The numerical calculations presented in this article make it possible to optimize the design of an electromagnetic accelerator and get rid of unnecessary elements such as photo sensors. That will provide an increase in efficiency and, accordingly, the safety of space flights.