The application of symmetrical motorised momentum exchange tethers for two-way Earth-Mars transportation

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Afonso, Shem S. and Cartmell, Matthew P. (2023) The application of symmetrical motorised momentum exchange tethers for two-way Earth-Mars transportation. In: First Joint International Conference on Advances in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 2023-11-28 - 2023-11-30, Alliance University.

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Abstract

This paper presents a novel strategy for the use of symmetrical motorised momentum exchange tethers for a two-way continuous payload transfer system between Earth and Mars. Symmetrical tethers do not necessarily deorbit on payload capture and release because there is no change in the geometrical location of the centre of mass when in operation. A novel strategy is proposed requiring two tethers, whereby one rotates prograde and the other retrograde, and two dummy payloads in suitable parking orbits around each planet to provide overall mass balance. Two additional outrigger payloads are tethered to the stator side of the central drive motor facility to provide a counter inertia against which the primary propulsion side rotates. If the two sides of the motor facility are reasonably balanced, they will contra-rotate effectively, facilitating spin-up of the tether and reset to desired initial conditions for subsequent phases. A methodology has been developed to calculate the orbits of the tethers and the dummy payloads around Earth and Mars, and a drag perturbation analysis has been carried out on selected sets of results to determine the orbit decay. Finally, some major failure scenarios are discussed and some recovery options are proposed.

ORCID iDs

Afonso, Shem S. and Cartmell, Matthew P. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3982-6315;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)